What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lateness
Example
I apologize for my lateness, the traffic was terrible. [lateness: noun]
Example
Her lateness is becoming a problem, we can't start meetings on time. [lateness: noun]
delay
Example
The flight was delayed due to bad weather. [delayed: verb]
Example
We experienced a delay in production due to a shortage of materials. [delay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delay is more commonly used than lateness in everyday language. Delay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while lateness is less common and is typically used to describe a person's behavior.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between lateness and delay?
While lateness is typically associated with a casual and informal tone, delay is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
