What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tardiness
Example
Her tardiness caused her to miss the beginning of the movie. [tardiness: noun]
Example
He was fired due to his constant tardiness. [tardiness: noun]
delay
Example
The flight was delayed due to bad weather. [delay: verb]
Example
We had to make a delay in our plans due to unforeseen circumstances. [delay: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delay is more commonly used than tardiness in everyday language. Delay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tardiness is less common and refers specifically to being late or not arriving on time.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between tardiness and delay?
Both tardiness and delay are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
