While both "late" and "tardy" describe arriving after the expected time, there's a subtle difference. "Late" is a general term and can be used in many situations. "Tardy," however, usually implies being late for something scheduled, like a class or a meeting, and often carries a slightly more negative connotation, suggesting a lack of punctuality or even a slight disregard for the schedule.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Late:

  • "I'm late for my appointment." (Meaning: I arrived after the scheduled time of my appointment.)
  • "The train is late." (Meaning: The train is behind schedule.)

• Tardy:

  • "She was tardy to class." (Meaning: She arrived late to class, suggesting a lack of punctuality.)
  • "He was marked tardy three times this month." (Meaning: He was recorded as being late for class three times this month, suggesting a pattern of lateness.)

Notice that while both words can describe an arrival after a scheduled time, "tardy" often has a stronger implication of blame or a need to improve one's time management skills.

Happy learning!