we were late

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "we were late" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea that a group of people were delayed in arriving somewhere at a certain time. For example, you could say: "We were late to our appointment so the receptionist had to reschedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were late, though.

Independent

We were late to school this morning.

The New York Times

We were late for her appointment.

The New Yorker

As expected, we were late for lunch.

The New Yorker

"I'm sorry we were late," Mrs. Hatoyama apologized.

The New York Times

We were late to the technology, but we didn't mind.

The New Yorker

At times we were late getting off the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

We were late setting up our bird feeders this season.

The New York Times - Arts

When we arrived at the stadium we were late.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were late getting out of the gate".

The New York Times

The internet didn't exist when we were late teenagers.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were late", specify the event or appointment that was missed to provide context and clarity. For example, "We were late for the meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "we were late" when you mean "we were recently" or "we were previously". "Late" refers specifically to timing, not general past actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were late" functions as a statement expressing that a group of people arrived after a designated or expected time. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage and widespread application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were late" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that a group of people arrived after the scheduled time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent across various contexts, especially in news and media. To ensure clarity, specify the event that was missed. While generally neutral in tone, alternatives like "we were behind schedule" or "we missed the deadline" might be more appropriate depending on the specific situation. Remember that "late" refers to timing, not to general past events. The large number of real-world examples confirm that this phrase is easy to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were running late

This alternative emphasizes the action of being in the process of becoming late.

we arrived behind time

This is a literal equivalent using a slightly less common phrasing.

we were behind schedule

This alternative highlights being behind the planned timeline, not just the arrival time.

we were delayed

This alternative focuses on the cause of the lateness, suggesting an external factor caused a delay.

we didn't make it on time

This emphasizes the failure to arrive at the designated time.

we missed the deadline

This alternative emphasizes failing to meet a specific deadline.

we showed up late

This focuses on the act of arriving late, possibly implying a less serious situation.

we failed to be on time

This is a slightly more formal way of saying we were late, emphasizing the failure to meet the required timing.

we were not punctual

This uses a more formal term to describe the lateness.

we lagged

This alternative implies falling behind or struggling to keep up

FAQs

How to use "we were late" in a sentence?

The phrase "we were late" indicates that a group of people arrived after the scheduled or expected time. For example, "We were late to the movie, so we missed the beginning."

What can I say instead of "we were late"?

You can use alternatives like "we were behind schedule", "we missed the deadline", or "we arrived behind time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we were lately" instead of "we were late"?

No, "we were lately" is grammatically incorrect. "Lately" means "recently", which is a different meaning than arriving after the expected time. You should use "we were late" to indicate tardiness.

What is the difference between "we were late" and "we were delayed"?

"We were late" simply states that the group arrived after the scheduled time. "We were delayed" implies there was a reason or obstacle that caused the lateness.