a considerable delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"a considerable delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in situations when you need to describe a period of time that is significantly longer than usual. For example, "The project has been delayed by a considerable amount of time, and is unlikely to be completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This represents a considerable delay when compared with reaching behaviour studies of patients with acquired loss of central [ 18, 22] and peripheral [ 17] vision.

BMC Ophthalmology

Several weeks later, the same search yielded results, but after a considerable delay.

The New York Times - Travel

At 7.20pm, with a considerable delay, the first balloon floated into the night sky in front of the Brandenburg Gate.

The Guardian

"Unfortunately, we had a considerable delay reclaiming the account which we then back-billed," says a spokesperson.

The Guardian - Money

And Mr. Baker came very close to endorsing the Kremlin's plan for a referendum and a considerable delay in independence.

The New York Times

Most of these women wouldn't have had a bone assessment before this happens, and there is often a considerable delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis.

Columbia University

If these parameters are not confirmed in a timely fashion, the target may need to be rescheduled, sometimes after a considerable delay.

Harvard University

Ofcom noted that the broadcaster had apologised on air for the offensive language but said in some cases there had been a "considerable delay" before it happened.

The Guardian

These characteristics have led to a considerable delay in the design and implementation of ecological assessment tools within the European Water Framework Directive.

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science

After almost everyone else had exited, and following a considerable delay (as if they waited for a miracle — that the plane might take off, with them on board) they emerged one by one.

The New York Times

Only a company with very deep pockets could enter such a market first, survive in its hostile environment, and withstand a considerable delay before obtaining durable first-mover advantages.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a considerable delay" to emphasize that the delay is not just a minor inconvenience, but a significant issue that warrants attention. This phrase is particularly effective when discussing timelines, project management, or critical processes where timing is essential.

Common error

While "a considerable delay" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it repeatedly within a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "substantial delay", "significant delay", or describing the delay in more specific terms (e.g., "a six-month postponement") to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a considerable delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "considerable" modifies the noun "delay". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, as seen in numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a considerable delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to highlight a noteworthy postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides ample examples from sources spanning science, news, academia, and more. While versatile, consider using synonyms to prevent redundancy. The phrase is appropriate across varied contexts, though its formality may shift depending on where it's used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial delay

Replaces "considerable" with "substantial", emphasizing the significance of the delay.

a significant delay

Uses "significant" instead of "considerable", highlighting the importance of the delay.

a lengthy delay

Substitutes "considerable" with "lengthy", focusing on the duration of the delay.

a prolonged delay

Employs "prolonged" in place of "considerable", stressing the extended nature of the delay.

a marked delay

Replaces "considerable" with "marked", indicating a noticeable or distinct delay.

a noticeable delay

Uses "noticeable" to convey that the delay is easily observed or recognized.

a long wait

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the waiting aspect, rather than emphasizing the size of the delay itself. Changes the noun.

a significant waiting period

More formally describes a substantial amount of waiting time. Introduces a slightly more complex structure.

an extensive hold-up

Uses "extensive" and the noun "hold-up" to express a significant interruption or delay. Shifts the tone to potentially more negative.

a major setback

Focuses on the consequence of the delay as an obstacle, rather than the delay itself.

FAQs

How can I use "a considerable delay" in a sentence?

You can use "a considerable delay" to describe a situation where something is postponed for a noteworthy duration. For instance, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was "a considerable delay" in the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to saying "a considerable delay"?

You can use alternatives like "a substantial delay", "a significant delay", or "a lengthy delay" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "a considerable delay" or "a slight delay"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the delay. Use "a considerable delay" when the postponement is significant, and "a slight delay" when it is minor. Consider the impact and duration of the delay to choose the most accurate descriptor.

What's the difference between "a considerable delay" and "a setback"?

"A considerable delay" specifically refers to an extension of time, while "a setback" describes a hindrance or reversal in progress. While a delay can cause a setback, a setback isn't always caused by delays; it could stem from other factors like resource issues or unforeseen problems.