tardy 的用法及固定搭配

tardy

tardy现在在英国不普通,偶然用,通常作“慢的”解而不作“过时的”解。但在美国很普通,而且作“过时的”解。例如:He is often tardy in his payments. 和She was an hour tardy for supper last evening. tardiness也是这样,如下面两句都是美国英语:

  • Please excuse my tardiness in answering your letter.
  • Her tardiness at supper last evening was due to a headache. (tardiness at supper在英国人看来也许作“晚餐吃得慢”解)