be late for vs be late to

Both "be late for" and "be late to" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Be late for" is used to indicate the event or activity you are late for, while "be late to" is used to indicate the place you are late to.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 1185 views

be late for

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use "be late for" when you want to indicate the event or activity you are late for. For example, "I'm going to be late for the meeting."

Examples:

She was late for her flight.
Don't be late for the party.
He is always late for class.
I don't want to be late for the movie.
They were late for the wedding.

Show examples from the web [+]

Again, this idiom is less widespread in British English than in American English, but in American English, it is actually more common than “to be late for the party” ...
be late for/to? 3 replies. Forums · General English Grammar & Vocabulary, Listening & Speaking · General English Grammar Questions · Teo: 1. He is late for ...
Jul 14, 2011 ... ... usage suggests that each phrase is completely interchangeable. Arg... I am late to the party. If you don't hurry, we will be late for the party!
Sep 5, 2015 ... Be Late For Something Day encourages you to take a step back from your schedule and intentionally be late for something – remember that ...

Alternatives:

arrive late for
come late for
show up late for
get to late for
reach late for

be late to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

Use "be late to" when you want to indicate the place you are late to. For example, "She was late to the meeting."

Examples:

He was late to the party.
She is always late to class.
I don't want to be late to the movie.
They were late to the wedding.
She was late to the airport.

Alternatives:

arrive late to
come late to
show up late to
get to late to
reach late to

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be late for vs be late to

be late for

be late to

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