I was late for work vs i was late at work

Both phrases are correct, but they have different meanings. 'I was late for work' means that you arrived at work after the expected time. 'I was late at work' means that you were delayed while already at work. The choice between the two depends on whether you are referring to being late to arrive at work or being delayed while already there.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1196 views

I was late for work

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that you arrived at work after the expected time.

Examples:

I was late for work this morning because of traffic.
She was late for work again, and her boss was not happy.
He always leaves early to make sure he's never late for work.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 06, 2024

Mar 14, 2019 ... Why I Was Late for Work Today ... People on the NYC subway. ... 8:15 A.M.: Woke up right on schedule, with plenty of time to make it to the office ...
Jun 28, 2017 ... You can find all the Summer Writing Contest stories here. I was late for work and thought, “Oh, come on, as the group manager is here today.” ...
Jul 29, 2020 ... I was late for work for the first time today and now I feel like it's the end of the world. I'm sitting at work typing this (I'm alone plus ...
Dec 14, 2017 ... The car wouldn't start this morning, so I was late for work. The word in bold was actually missing in the original task. The four answers were: ...
Sep 21, 2012 ... I was five minutes late two weeks ago, and it really wasn't a big deal. But for some reason my alarm didn't go off today and I was late for work
Oct 2, 2019 ... I was late for work one day due to road conditions during a winter storm. Even though I left really early, the bad weather caused me to be ...
Dec 21, 2023 ... I was late for work this morning. My son was late for school. Not because we overslept. Not because there was traffic.
May 25, 2016 ... I was late for work today and got fired now I'm depressed, scared, and feel hopeless. What should I do? All related (40). Recommended.
At almost the same time in New Jersey, I was late for work at the Rutgers Writing Program, and did not stop to watch CNN when my housemate pointed to the ...
Jun 25, 2019 ... During the 90 day probation period I was late for work twice, once for alarm clock problem, (I was a newly wed) and then a flat tire. Real ...

Alternatives:

I arrived late for work
I got to work late
I was delayed getting to work

i was late at work

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate that you were delayed while already at work.

Examples:

I was late at work because the meeting ran longer than expected.
She was late at work due to a transportation issue.
He was late at work because of a computer problem.

Show examples from the web [+]

Mar 7, 2012 ... 2nd Date rolls around and i was late at work making a powerpoint, I had attended a friends' funeral that week, and was just a bit subdued.
Nov 12, 2015 ... Happens to me this night, and my alarm didnt go off, so I was late at work ._. CrashReport said nothing ... EDIT: Forgotten where is the ...
The best way and the most precious way to tell or to send a message that you will going to work late with your boss is by telling the TRUTH about the reason why ...
I was hoping to use this app to do some pretty standard things on my phone - e.g. , tell my wife I was late at work, message her when I've left, disable the lock ...

Alternatives:

I was delayed at work
I arrived late to work
I got to work late

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I was late for work vs i was late at work