How to use the word "late"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hi,

Which of the sentence is correct in grammar and why? Thank you.

  1. He was late to school today because he overslept this morning.
  2. He is late to school today because he overslept this morning.

Regards,
Chuck

2

The first is the most likely of your two options because his arrival at school is in the past. However, if he has just walked in, the second is also possible.

However, I would not use ‘late to school’:
He was late coming to school today…
or
He was late arriving at school today…

3

Hi Beeesneees,

As I understand, simple past time is used ‘at a specific time in the past’

eg 1. Dave was late for school yesterday.

Yesterday is ‘a specific time in the past’, so eq 1 sounds right?

eg 2. Dave was late for school this morning.

We were talking about Dave during lunch time, so it was a past event at a specific time. So it is correct?

eg 3. Dave was late for school today.

We were talking about Dave during lunch time, since the day has not passed, "was late’ has to change to ‘is late’ as a simple tense?

Please point out the error, thanks.
Chuck

4

They are all correct as written.
Even if you were talking about Dave at lunchtime, the event is in the past. You would only use ‘Dave is late for …’ if he hasn’t yet arrived or if he arriving at that moment.