tardy to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tardy to work" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who arrives late to their workplace or job. Example: "Due to heavy traffic, I was tardy to work this morning and missed the morning meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a staff member fails to report to the assigned work site at the scheduled time or departs early from work, he or she is considered "tardy". This applies to returning to work after breaks and meal periods.

Duke University

When I lived in Hell's Kitchen I would hear these poor horses begin their daily commute at 7 or 8 a.m., trotting alongside honking cabs, double-decker buses, and tardy businessmen racing to get to work on time.

Huffington Post

That made our customers late and angry and ruined the lives of our employees who had to work overtime because of tardy arrivals.

Harvard Business Review

It was a game that was expected to cause more than a few fans in Japan who stayed home to watch the live broadcast Wednesday morning to be tardy for work or school.

The New York Times - Sports

I was tardy to this party.

The Guardian - Opinion

The soldier had previously received several warnings not to be tardy to his platoon's patrols.

The New York Times

She is tardy to the interview by 50 minutes: The traffic!

The New York Times

Suspensions were common for things as minor as being tardy to class.

Huffington Post

Neoliberals deregulated Wall St. Neoliberals are tardy to the immigration, LGBT, and the racially progressive party.

Huffington Post

You can get into trouble if you are tardy to class.

WikiHow

Teachers will probably not count you tardy to your classes on the first week of school.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "tardy to work" is grammatically correct, consider using the more common and direct phrase "late to work" for better clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid using "tardy to work" in informal contexts. It may sound overly formal or even antiquated. "Late to work" is often a better fit for everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tardy to work" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig, it describes the state of being late for one's job or workplace.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, "tardy to work" is less common than "late to work" in contemporary English. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but suggests considering the context. It leans towards a more formal or old-fashioned tone and is found in sources like news articles and academic texts. For everyday conversations, "late to work" is generally preferred. If you aim for clarity and broad acceptance, opt for the simpler and more widely recognized alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Late for work

This is a more common and direct synonym for "tardy to work".

Arriving late at work

This phrase is more descriptive, specifying the action of arriving late.

Delayed in getting to work

This focuses on the delay that caused the lateness.

Held up on the way to work

This suggests an unexpected obstacle caused the lateness.

Behind schedule for work

This emphasizes being behind the planned timeline.

Not on time for work

This is a more general way of saying someone was late.

Running behind getting to work

This suggests a continuous state of being late or almost late.

Failed to arrive on time at work

This is a formal and negative way to describe lateness.

Tardiness at the workplace

This refers to lateness as a general problem or policy.

Unpunctual at work

This is a more formal and less common synonym for late.

FAQs

What's the difference between "tardy to work" and "late to work"?

While both phrases describe being late for work, "late to work" is more commonly used and generally preferred in modern English. "Tardy" sounds more formal and less contemporary.

What can I say instead of "tardy to work"?

You can use alternatives like "late for work", "arriving late at work", or "behind schedule for work" depending on the context.

Is "tardy to work" grammatically incorrect?

No, "tardy to work" is grammatically correct, but it's less frequently used in contemporary English compared to "late to work".

When is it appropriate to use "tardy to work"?

You might use "tardy to work" in formal writing or when aiming for a slightly old-fashioned or humorous effect. However, in most everyday situations, "late to work" is more suitable.