tardy reaction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tardy reaction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a response or reaction that is delayed or late in occurring. Example: "The tardy reaction of the emergency services raised concerns about their response time during the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Not bad cellphone reception; tardy reaction from bad US president," tweeted political commentator Denise Dresser.

The Guardian

"If they get a tardy reaction from the first person they speak to there's a risk they'll be put off at that point.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tardy response?

BBC

Water shortages blamed on climate anomaly, tardy response.

Science Magazine

Hi Fred, Please excuse my tardy response to your email!

Vice

The Obama administration's reaction was tardy, but no worse than, say, the first Bush administration's reaction to the uprisings in the Baltics and Ukraine.

The New York Times

To some, the official reaction was both tardy and excessive.

The Economist

The government's agenda is unambitious, and its reaction to events often tardy and fumbling.

The Economist

The end result is Australia's response had looked tardy.

BBC

The average tardiness of those who were tardy fell from 16.75 min (5.59) to 2.0 min.

BMJ Open

Nonetheless, her government's response has been criticised as tardy and ineffective.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tardy reaction", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being reacted to and why the delay is significant. For instance, "The company's tardy reaction to the product recall damaged its reputation."

Common error

Avoid using "tardy reaction" in contexts where a simple "slow" or "delayed" response is meant. "Tardy" carries a slightly more formal or critical tone, implying a blameworthy lateness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tardy reaction" functions as a noun phrase where "tardy" modifies the noun "reaction". It describes a reaction that is delayed or slow. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples found in news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tardy reaction" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a delayed or slow response. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's primarily found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to slightly formal tone. While not very common, understanding its alternatives, such as "delayed response" or "slow response", can help in choosing the most appropriate phrasing. When employing "tardy reaction", ensure the context warrants the critical implication of blameworthy lateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed response

Replaces "tardy" with "delayed", emphasizing the postponement of the reaction.

slow response

Uses "slow" instead of "tardy", indicating a lack of speed in the reaction.

late response

Substitutes "tardy" with "late", highlighting the belated nature of the reaction.

belated reaction

Replaces "tardy" with "belated", suggesting the reaction came later than expected or desired.

lagging response

Uses "lagging" to convey that the response is trailing behind or not keeping pace.

unpunctual response

Replaces "tardy" with "unpunctual", emphasizing the lack of timeliness in the reaction.

tardiness in responding

Shifts the focus to the "tardiness" as a quality, followed by the action of responding.

lack of promptness in reaction

Expresses the idea with a focus on the absence of "promptness".

procrastinated response

Highlights the delay as a result of procrastination.

long-delayed response

Emphasizes the extended period of time before the response.

FAQs

What does "tardy reaction" mean?

"Tardy reaction" refers to a response that is delayed or late. It implies that the reaction was not prompt and may have been expected sooner.

What can I say instead of "tardy reaction"?

You can use alternatives like "delayed response", "slow response", or "late response" depending on the specific context.

How can I use "tardy reaction" in a sentence?

Example: "The government's "tardy reaction" to the crisis drew criticism from the public."

Is "tardy reaction" formal or informal?

"Tardy reaction" leans towards the formal side but can be used in news and media contexts. For informal conversations, "slow response" might be more appropriate.