was late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that did not arrive or occur at the expected time. Example: "She was late to the meeting because of traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Friedman was late.

The New Yorker

It was late fall.

The New York Times

It was late 1995.

Independent

It was late.

The New York Times

"My appearance was late.

The New York Times

Luda was late.

The New Yorker

The bus was late.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was late afternoon.

The New York Times

The wedding was late.

The New York Times

It was late May.

The New York Times - Science

It was late at night.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was late", ensure the context is clear by specifying what the subject was late for. For example, "He was late for his appointment" provides better clarity than simply "He was late".

Common error

Avoid using "was late" without specifying the event or reason. Saying "The delivery was late" is less informative than "The delivery was late due to inclement weather".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was late" primarily functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being behind schedule or not on time. Ludwig examples confirm its role in indicating tardiness or delay in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was late" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that someone or something didn't arrive or occur at the expected time. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "was late", it's best practice to provide clear context about what the subject was late for to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "arrived behind schedule" or "was delayed" exist, "was late" remains a versatile and readily understood option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

showed up late

Focuses on the action of arriving late.

arrived behind schedule

Focuses on the arrival being after the intended time.

didn't make it on time

Indicates a failure to arrive or complete something by the designated time.

was delayed

Highlights the reason for being late, often due to external factors.

missed the deadline

Emphasizes the failure to meet a specific time constraint.

ran behind

Suggests a general state of being late, often implying a continuous delay.

lagged behind

Implies a slower pace or progress leading to lateness.

was tardy

A more formal way of saying "was late".

was unpunctual

A formal synonym for "was late", indicating a lack of punctuality.

clocked in late

Specifically refers to being late for work.

FAQs

How can I use "was late" in a sentence?

You can use "was late" to describe someone or something that did not arrive or occur at the expected time. For example, "She "was late" to the meeting because of traffic" or "The train "was late" due to a signal failure".

What are some alternatives to saying "was late"?

Some alternatives include "arrived behind schedule", "was delayed", "missed the deadline", or "was tardy". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was lately" instead of "was late"?

No, "was lately" is not typically used to indicate tardiness. "Lately" means "recently" or "of late". To indicate someone didn't arrive on time, use "was late".

What's the difference between "was late" and "arrived late"?

"Was late" is a more general statement about being behind schedule. "Arrived late" specifically emphasizes the action of arriving after the expected time. For example, "He "was late" finishing his work, so he "arrived late" to the party".