they were late

USAGE SUMMARY

"they were late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it either as part of a longer sentence or as a standalone sentence. For example: "Tom and his family were late for the dinner party." OR "They were late."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

And companies could not charge a late fee if they were late processing a payment.

The New York Times

Music executives acknowledge they were late to the Internet game.

The New York Times - Tech

And if they were late, everybody blamed Al anyway".

The New York Times - Sports

Actually, they were late, so they missed the re-enactment.

The New York Times

"They were late for interviews and photo shoots.

The Guardian - Music

They were drinking wine, and they were late.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Those who were told they were "late-bloomers" worked harder and were given more attention from their teachers.

Harvard University

They were late-19th-century imports, lighter and faster than the indigenous breed of Alaskan sled dog, the chunky malamute.

The New York Times - Books

They are late.

The New York Times

(They're late for school).

The New York Times - Arts

They are late in their careers.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were late", ensure the context clearly indicates who "they" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "they were late" without a clear antecedent for "they". Always ensure the reader knows who is being referred to, or rephrase to specify the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were late" functions as a simple declarative statement. It asserts that a group of people or entities arrived after the expected or scheduled time. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were late" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a group of individuals arrived after the scheduled time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to state a fact, and its tone is generally neutral, making it suitable for diverse contexts ranging from news reports to everyday conversations. While its meaning is straightforward, ensure clarity by providing a clear antecedent for "they". Alternatives like they arrived behind schedule or their arrival was delayed can offer a more formal tone if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were delayed

Highlights the cause of being late, implying an external factor.

they ran late

A simpler, more direct synonym for "they were late".

they didn't make it on time

A more informal way of expressing lateness.

they showed up late

Specifically refers to the act of arriving late.

they arrived behind schedule

Replaces "late" with "behind schedule", focusing on the schedule aspect.

they were behind time

Similar to 'behind schedule', but more general.

their arrival was delayed

Shifts the focus to the arrival itself being delayed.

they missed the deadline

Emphasizes the failure to meet a specific time constraint.

they lagged behind

Focuses on the idea of falling behind a group or schedule.

they tarried

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying they were late.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "they were late" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could say "their arrival was delayed" or "they arrived behind schedule". These options provide a more professional tone.

Is it okay to use "they were late" in academic writing?

Yes, "they were late" is acceptable in academic writing, but ensure it's clear and concise. More formal alternatives might be preferred depending on the specific context and tone of the paper. See also: their arrival was delayed.

What's the difference between "they were late" and "they are late"?

"They were late" refers to a past event, indicating lateness occurred in the past. "They are late" indicates a current state of lateness. For example, "they were late for the meeting yesterday" vs. "they are late; the meeting is starting now without them."

What are some common reasons why "they were late"?

The phrase "they were late" doesn't specify the reason. It simply states the fact of lateness. The reasons could be varied, such as traffic, unforeseen circumstances, or poor planning.