were belated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were belated" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that something was delayed or occurred later than expected, but the construction is awkward. Example: "The responses to the invitations were belated, arriving days after the event had taken place."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

These were belated triumphs for one of Britain's unluckiest architectural practices.

The Guardian - Arts

… Yes we started to get some solidarity and some statements, but these were belated.

The Washington Post

He said the White House's decision-making was "so shrouded in mystery that the government could not tell me. . . who made the decision". The White House's later written arguments for banning Acosta were belated and were not sufficient to satisfy due process, Kelly said.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The Baghdad communiqués are belated, insincere, incomplete.

The New York Times

In a sense, the surge was belated emergency triage.

The New Yorker

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

But nothing has been heard from them either.There has been belated progress in a few areas.

The Economist

Among these is belated shock that rotating six-month presidencies still exist.

The Economist

"This is belated news but still good news," Mr. Javadekar told NDTV.

The New York Times

Finally in Britain there is belated recognition that the cosmetic intervention industry should be better regulated.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "were belated" in formal writing. Opt for clearer alternatives like "were delayed" or "were late" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

While "belated" can be a valid adjective, combining it with "were" often creates an awkward phrasing. Simpler terms such as "late" or "delayed" usually communicate the intended meaning more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were belated" functions as a verbal phrase intended to modify a noun, indicating that something happened or was received later than expected. Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is not standard written English, making it grammatically questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the word "belated" is a valid adjective meaning 'late' or 'tardy', the phrase "were belated" is generally considered grammatically awkward and not standard in written English. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It's better to use alternatives like "were delayed" or "were late" for clarity and correctness. While found in some news sources, it's best to avoid "were belated" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were delayed

Replaces "belated" with a more common and straightforward term for lateness.

were late

Simple and direct synonym for "belated", indicating something arrived or happened after the expected time.

were overdue

Emphasizes that something should have happened or been completed by a specific time.

were tardy

Similar to "late", but can suggest a more formal or official context.

were behind schedule

Focuses on the lateness in relation to a planned timeline or schedule.

were not on time

A more explicit way of stating that something was late.

were postponed

Indicates that something was delayed to a later date.

were deferred

Implies a more formal or official delay, often used in legal or bureaucratic contexts.

were long in coming

Suggests that something took a significant amount of time to occur.

happened later than expected

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the delay.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "were belated"?

Alternatives include "were delayed", "were late", or "were overdue", depending on the context.

Is "were belated" grammatically correct?

While the word "belated" is correct, the phrase "were belated" is grammatically awkward. It's better to rephrase using alternatives like "were delayed".

How can I use "belated" correctly in a sentence?

Use "belated" before a noun, such as in "belated birthday wishes". Avoid using it directly after "were"; instead, choose "were late" or "were delayed".

What does "belated" mean?

"Belated" means occurring later than the proper or expected time. For example, "a belated apology" is an apology given after a delay.