was belated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was belated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurred later than expected or intended, often in reference to greetings or responses. Example: "Her birthday wishes were belated, arriving a week after the celebration."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

In a sense, the surge was belated emergency triage.

The New Yorker

The African Union was belated in responding but realised it was not only a Nigerian problem but a regional problem".

The Guardian

But when he finally ran for president, in 1980, challenging Jimmy Carter, the attempt was belated and halfhearted.

The New York Times

BARACK OBAMA has struck the jihadists in Iraq and even if the action was belated and modest he has so far been successful.

The Economist

The government and the Central Bank are generally working correctly to deal with the current economic woes, he added, although some of their action was belated.

Independent

It was belated reward for a career of consistent success that exploded into the wider public consciousness with his Tour victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The sort of historical understanding Berlin sought to depict was 'related to moral and aesthetic analysis'.

SEP

Subjects were instructed that the sample stimulus was 'related' to one of the two comparisons and the task was to discover the relation by choosing one comparison (see [ 13, 14] for additional discussion of MTS procedures).

Behavioral and Brain Functions

"The Baghdad communiqués are belated, insincere, incomplete.

The New York Times

This is belated recognition, but still it is recognition.

The New York Times

The change of heart is belated, but necessary and welcome.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was belated" when emphasizing that an action or realization occurred later than it should have, especially when acknowledging a delay or expressing regret.

Common error

Avoid using "was belated" when a simple "was late" suffices, as "belated" implies a sense of duty, expectation, or obligation that was not met promptly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was belated" functions as a linking verb + adjective, describing a state of being late or delayed in relation to an expected or appropriate time. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it modifies nouns to indicate that something happened later than it should have.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was belated" is a phrase used to describe something that happened later than expected or desired. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in news, media and scientific contexts. When using "was belated", consider its nuance of implying a missed expectation and the potential for alternatives like "was late" or "was overdue" if a simpler expression is more appropriate. Remember that while "was belated" is useful for expressing the idea of delayed actions or recognitions, it is more formal and nuanced than simple alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

occurred late

Replaces "belated" with "late", focusing on the timing of the event. Less emphasis on the anticipation.

came too late

Emphasizes the adverse consequences of the delay.

was overdue

Indicates that something has passed its expected time.

arrived late

Focuses on the arrival, whether it's information, assistance or something else.

happened behind schedule

Highlights the deviation from the planned timeline.

was tardy

More formal than "was belated" and focuses on the lateness.

was delayed

Highlights the postponement or interruption that caused the lateness.

was behind time

Similar to behind schedule but can also have a sense of urgency.

was unpunctual

Focuses on the lack of punctuality.

didn't happen soon enough

Emphasizes the lack of timeliness.

FAQs

How to use "was belated" in a sentence?

You can use "was belated" to describe an action, response or acknowledgement that happened later than expected or desired. For example: "The response to the crisis "was belated", which made it harder to manage."

What can I say instead of "was belated"?

You can use alternatives like "was late", "was overdue", or "came too late" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "was belated" or "was overdue"?

Both ""was belated"" and "was overdue" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Was belated" emphasizes the tardiness, while "was overdue" suggests that something exceeded its expected or required timeframe.

What's the difference between "was belated" and "was delayed"?

"Was belated" implies that something should have happened earlier, whereas "was delayed" suggests that something was actively postponed or hindered. The former emphasizes the failure to act promptly, while the latter focuses on the obstruction of progress.