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be five minutes late vs be late by five minutes

Both phrases are correct, and they have the same meaning. 'Be five minutes late' is used to indicate arriving late by a specific amount of time. On the other hand, 'be late by five minutes' emphasizes the amount of time by which someone is late. The choice between the two depends on the emphasis you want to place on the timing of being late.
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Explained by Vince
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Last updated: September 20, 2024 • 17733 views

be five minutes late

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate arriving late by a specific amount of time, in this case, five minutes.

Examples:

  • I'll be five minutes late for the meeting.
  • She was five minutes late for the bus.
  • Don't worry if you're five minutes late, we'll wait for you.
  • He's always five minutes late to class.
  • The train was five minutes late.
  • We're only going to be five minutes late to school today.
  • At 12 o'clock today, the guards at those doors will leave their posts and their replacements are going to be five minutes late.
  • So you'll be five minutes late.
  • If there's a chance you'll be five minutes late, -
  • E're running five minutes late already.
  • You're five minutes late for dinner, Muffy.
  • I was like five minutes late.
  • And we opened our doors a full five minutes late.
  • - Five minutes late, Ma.
  • Mr. Murphy is running five minutes late.
  • Five minutes late would be too late.
  • So, I'm five minutes late every once in a while.
  • This is what happens when I'm five minutes late?
  • Came in five minutes late and the others had gone... to have fun, and I was left alone and crying.
  • Danny gets all bent out of shape if I'm five minutes late.
  • Really, my lord, this fellow Sharpe his almost five minutes late Not to mention his bad manners this morning.
  • And I'm five minutes late because Mom insisted I try on every last Matthew Owens suit in England for the photo-shoot.
  • You're only five minutes late, but I get so frightened.
  • I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live.
  • I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live.

Alternatives:

  • be ten minutes late
  • be fifteen minutes late
  • be twenty minutes late
  • be thirty minutes late
  • be an hour late

be late by five minutes

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase emphasizes the specific amount of time by which someone is late. It is used to indicate the delay in a more precise manner.

Examples:

  • She was late by five minutes, but still managed to catch the train.
  • The presentation started late by five minutes.
  • He arrived late by five minutes due to traffic.
  • The flight was delayed by five minutes.
  • The bus was late by five minutes.
  • E're running five minutes late already.
  • We're only going to be five minutes late to school today.
  • You're five minutes late for dinner, Muffy.
  • I was like five minutes late.
  • And we opened our doors a full five minutes late.
  • - Five minutes late, Ma.
  • Mr. Murphy is running five minutes late.
  • Five minutes late would be too late.
  • So, I'm five minutes late every once in a while.
  • This is what happens when I'm five minutes late?
  • Came in five minutes late and the others had gone... to have fun, and I was left alone and crying.
  • At 12 o'clock today, the guards at those doors will leave their posts and their replacements are going to be five minutes late.
  • Danny gets all bent out of shape if I'm five minutes late.
  • Really, my lord, this fellow Sharpe his almost five minutes late Not to mention his bad manners this morning.
  • And I'm five minutes late because Mom insisted I try on every last Matthew Owens suit in England for the photo-shoot.
  • You're only five minutes late, but I get so frightened.
  • I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live.
  • I'm sure if you're five minutes late, they'll live.
  • Excuse me, Mr. Sorkin, you are five minutes late.
  • Well, we are already running five minutes late, but I could still hold a roll-call, as Mr Tomlinson has requested.

Alternatives:

  • be late by ten minutes
  • be late by fifteen minutes
  • be late by twenty minutes
  • be late by thirty minutes
  • be late by an hour

Related Comparisons

least minutes late vs least minute late mani will be one hour late vs mani will be there is one hour 5 minutes is not enough vs 5 minutes are not enough has been late vs have been late will go back late vs will be late was late vs has late

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