was not on time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not on time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something failed to arrive or occur at the expected or scheduled time. Example: "The train was not on time, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a Feb. 16 letter to Michael D. Hess, the corporation counsel, lawyers for the families said they would try to have the mayor and Jason A. Turner, the city's commissioner of human resources, held in contempt of court if the court-ordered plan was not on time and acceptable.

The New York Times

Particularly, the essential bus journey data include information on, for each running bus at each bus stop location, whether the bus was on schedule at a stop and how long was the delay if it was not on time.

Data Science and Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The German trains were dirty, they were not on time and the employees were surly".

The New York Times

"We don't enable location tracking, but at some point the app will dynamically know where you are and know you're not on time".

The New Yorker

'This train is not on time.'.

Functional Linguistics

"If I'm not on time, John is going to rip my head off".

Huffington Post

"GMAC said, 'It's not on time so we can't help them.' Case closed".

Huffington Post

How many times have you said to someone, "I have to go, she's gonna rip my head off if I'm not on time for dinner".

Huffington Post

ROP leads to blindness when its treatment is not on time or effective.

BioMed Research International

We weren't on time.

Forbes

Customer penalities added up when the helicopters weren't on time.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "was not on time", consider the context. If you need to emphasize the lateness's impact, provide details about the consequences. For example, "The delivery was not on time, causing a significant delay in the project timeline."

Common error

Avoid using "was not on time" when "late" is sufficient and more direct. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound stilted. Prefer: "The train was late."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not on time" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of tardiness or failure to meet a scheduled time. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in describing delays or deviations from expected timelines.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not on time" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate lateness or failure to meet a schedule. Ludwig AI shows its applications across news, scientific and formal contexts. While it's an acceptable phrase, it's often more effective to use more concise alternatives like "was late". When writing, be mindful of overusing it and consider whether simpler language would suffice. Overall, recognize that while correct, the phrase has nuances that should be carefully considered to ensure clarity and conciseness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was late

Replaces "not on time" with a more concise and common synonym.

didn't make it in time

Emphasizes the failure to arrive within the required time frame.

was delayed

A simple statement that something experienced a setback in timing.

did not arrive punctually

Substitutes with a more formal and explicit expression of not being on time.

was behind schedule

Indicates a state of being delayed or not adhering to the planned timetable.

missed the deadline

Focuses on failing to meet a specific deadline, implying lateness.

was unpunctual

A more formal synonym emphasizing the lack of punctuality.

was overdue

Implies that something should have been completed or delivered earlier.

ran behind

Suggests a gradual deviation from the planned time.

failed to meet the appointed hour

A more formal and literary way of saying someone was late.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "was not on time"?

When something "was not on time", it means that it was late or did not happen at the expected or scheduled time. It suggests a deviation from a pre-arranged or anticipated timeframe.

What can I say instead of "was not on time"?

You can use alternatives like "was late", "missed the deadline", or "was delayed", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was not on time" or "was late"?

While both are correct, "was late" is generally more concise and commonly used. "Was not on time" can be used for emphasis or in more formal contexts, but overuse can sound awkward.

How to use "was not on time" in a sentence?

You can use "was not on time" to describe anything that failed to meet its scheduled or expected time. For example: "The package was not on time", or "The meeting was not on time".