was tardy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was tardy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that was late or delayed in arriving or completing a task. Example: "She was tardy to the meeting, arriving fifteen minutes after it had started."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

He did, but was tardy in arriving.

The New Yorker

The maharajah was tardy in choosing.

The New York Times

I was tardy to this party.

The Guardian - Opinion

France was tardy in Tunisia and wavered over Egypt.

The Economist

Mr. McGinn was tardy on this morning, and later paid for it.

The New York Times

Bacsik arrived in Miami on Thursday night, but his curveball was tardy.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The average tardiness of those who were tardy fell from 16.75 min (5.59) to 2.0 min.

BMJ Open

And they were tardy in entering emerging markets.

The Economist

By comparison, much of continental Europe has been tardy.

The Economist

It was after 4 P.M.; the players were tardy.

The New York Times - Sports

It is a tardy rite and all the livelier for being tardy.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was tardy" to add a touch of formality or emphasis to the fact that someone or something was late. While "late" is more common, "tardy" can be effective in specific contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "tardy" in very casual or informal conversations; it can sound overly formal or even humorous. Opt for "late" in such situations for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was tardy" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating a state of being late or delayed. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, specifying that the subject did not arrive or occur at the expected time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

14%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was tardy" signifies lateness or delay, functioning as a descriptive phrase primarily used in neutral to formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While "late" is more common, "tardy" adds a subtle nuance suitable for specific situations. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, it conveys that someone or something didn't meet the expected timeframe. Remember to consider your audience and desired tone when choosing between "was tardy" and its more common synonyms. The alternative phrases provided offer a broader range for expressing similar concepts with slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

arrived late

Focuses on the action of arriving, emphasizing the lateness of the arrival.

showed up late

Similar to "arrived late" but slightly more informal.

was delayed

Highlights the cause of the lateness, suggesting an external factor caused the delay.

ran behind schedule

Indicates a deviation from a planned timeline or schedule.

was behind time

Focuses on the concept of being not on time.

didn't make it on time

Emphasizes the inability to arrive or complete something within the expected timeframe.

missed the deadline

Emphasizes the failure to meet a specific time limit.

failed to be on time

Highlights the failure to meet a specific time expectation.

came after the appointed time

A more formal way of saying someone arrived late.

was unpunctual

Emphasizes a general lack of punctuality rather than a single instance.

FAQs

What does "was tardy" mean?

The phrase "was tardy" means that someone or something was late or delayed beyond the expected or scheduled time. It's a more formal way of saying "was late".

What can I say instead of "was tardy"?

You can use alternatives like "arrived late", "was delayed", or "showed up late" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "was late" or "was tardy"?

"Was late" is generally more common and acceptable in most contexts. "Was tardy" is more formal and less frequently used, so consider your audience and the tone you want to convey. It can be used in more formal contexts or when you want to emphasize the lateness.

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

You can use "was tardy" in a sentence like this: "The train "was delayed" due to unforeseen circumstances, and as a result, she "arrived late" to the meeting and "was tardy" in submitting her report."