"Will be late for" vs "Will be late by"

Question

"Will be late for" vs "Will be late by"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Will be late by' is used to indicate the amount of time by which someone or something will be late, while 'will be late for' is used to indicate the event or activity for which someone or something will be late.

Last Updated: March 17, 2024

This phrase is used to specify the event or activity for which someone or something will be late. For example, 'She will be late for the meeting.'

Examples:

He will be late for the party.
They will be late for the concert.
She will be late for the appointment.
The train will be late for the departure.
I will be late for the class.

Alternatives:

will arrive late for
will be delayed for
will be behind schedule for
will be tardy for
will be running late for

This phrase is used to specify the exact amount of time by which someone or something will be late. For example, 'The train will be late by 15 minutes.'

Examples:

The flight will be late by an hour.
She will be late by 30 minutes.
The meeting will be late by 10 minutes.
The bus will be late by 20 minutes.
He will be late by half an hour.

Alternatives:

will be delayed by
will be behind by
will be running late by
will be tardy by
will be lagging behind by

Answer 1

Will be late for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the event or activity for which someone or something will be late.

Answer 2

Will be late by

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the amount of time by which someone or something will be late.

"Will be late for" vs "Will be late by"

Will be late for

Will be late by

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