Be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Be delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something or someone is experiencing a delay. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project may be delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This cannot be delayed".

Independent

"Paychecks would be delayed.

The New York Times

Symptoms may be delayed.

Princeton University

"Needed infrastructure projects will be delayed".

The New York Times

Voice or video communications can be delayed.

The Economist

Can the vote be delayed or prevented?

The New York Times

"'Gentlemen: It cannot be delayed longer!

The Economist

But the election could be delayed.

The Economist

The project could still be delayed.

The New York Times

Elections must not be delayed.

The Guardian - Opinion

That could be delayed until mid-November.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be delayed" in formal and informal writing, as it is versatile and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "be delayed" without a clear subject or object. For example, instead of writing "Action will be delayed", specify what action will be delayed for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be delayed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject is experiencing a postponement or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be delayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to indicate postponement or hindrance. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and commonality across diverse sources, including news, academia, and science. While versatile, ensuring clarity regarding the subject and cause of the delay is crucial. For alternative expressions, consider "be postponed" or "be held up" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be postponed

Emphasizes the act of rescheduling to a later time.

Be put off

Suggests a deferral or postponement to a later date.

Be held up

Implies an obstruction or hindrance causing the delay.

Be retarded

Focuses on slowing down or impeding progress.

Experience a setback

Highlights the occurrence of an unexpected problem that causes delay.

Encounter a delay

Describes the act of meeting with a delay or obstacle.

Be impeded

Indicates something is being blocked or hindered.

Be hindered

Focuses on the obstruction or prevention of progress.

Be stalled

Suggests a temporary cessation of progress.

Be adjourned

Signifies a formal postponement, often used in meetings or legal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "be delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "be delayed" to indicate that something is postponed or hindered. For example, "The project will "be delayed" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What's a more formal alternative to "be delayed"?

A more formal alternative to "be delayed" is "be postponed". This phrase is suitable for official communications and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "be delayed" and "be cancelled"?

"Be delayed" means something is temporarily postponed, while "be cancelled" means something is terminated entirely. A delay implies a later occurrence, whereas cancellation implies no future occurrence.

Is it grammatically correct to say "will be delay" instead of "will be delayed"?

No, "will be delay" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "will "be delayed"", using the passive voice construction with the past participle.