a delay of hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a delay of hours" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is postponed or takes longer than expected, specifically indicating that the delay lasts for several hours. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a delay of hours in the delivery of the package."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A delay of hours?

The New York Times

NO donors such as GTN have been shown to trigger an early onset headache and migraine attack in sufferers after a delay of hours [26, 42].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Post-procedure headache onset had a delay of hours after the procedure a fact previously reported [4, 5, 10] that has been attributed to a triggering effect of cerebral angiography in susceptible individuals [5].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

This indicates that off-line techniques, where there is often a delay of hours to days between particle collection and ROS analysis, may severely underestimate true ROS concentrations and that fast on-line techniques are necessary for a reliable ROS quantification in atmospheric aerosol particles and a meaningful correlation with health outcomes.

Atmospheric Environment

The diagnosis may be difficult as anaphylaxis may develop with a delay of hours [ 10].

Critical Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told reporters on Wednesday that "nothing is to be gained by a delay of 12 hours or 24 hours or 36 hours," indicating he won't slow the process either.

Huffington Post

Five learning trials are given with a delayed recall after a delay of one hour filled with verbal tests.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

After a delay of 3 hours 5 minutes, the decision was made to resume Friday evening.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was called after a delay of two hours, 14 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

The gloom Sunday started early, as heavy rain caused a delay of 2 hours 26 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

A delay of several hours after the polls closed suggested that a count was in progress, though there was no way of checking its accuracy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a delay of hours", be specific if the context allows. For example, state "a delay of three hours" instead of leaving it vague when the precise duration is known.

Common error

Avoid using "a delay of hours" when the delay is significantly longer (days or weeks) or shorter (minutes). Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a delay of hours" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI suggests it is correct and usable in written English, indicating its grammatical acceptability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a delay of hours" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a postponement lasting several hours. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a neutral register suitable for various forms of communication. While precise durations are preferred when available, "a delay of hours" effectively communicates an approximate timeframe. To avoid vagueness, ensure the scale of the delay is appropriately represented by the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a multi-hour delay

Specifies that the delay spans multiple hours.

a several-hour wait

Implies waiting for a duration of several hours.

a postponement of several hours

More formal term emphasizing the act of delaying something.

hours-long delay

Adjectival form describing a delay that lasts for hours.

a delay lasting several hours

Explicitly states the duration of the delay.

a protracted delay of hours

Emphasizes the excessive or extended nature of the delay.

a hold-up of several hours

Informal term indicating something is being held back for hours.

a setback of hours

Indicates a reversal or obstacle causing hours of delay.

a gap of several hours

Highlights a time interval or break lasting several hours.

an interruption lasting hours

Focuses on the disruption and its duration in hours.

FAQs

How can I use "a delay of hours" in a sentence?

You can use "a delay of hours" to describe a situation where something is postponed. For instance, "There was "a delay of hours" due to the storm".

What are some alternatives to "a delay of hours"?

Alternatives include "a multi-hour delay", "a several-hour wait", or "a postponement of several hours".

Is it better to specify the exact number of hours instead of saying "a delay of hours"?

Specifying the number of hours (e.g., "a delay of three hours") is preferable when the exact duration is known, as it provides more precise information.

When is it appropriate to use "a delay of hours" versus "a delay of minutes" or "a delay of days"?

Use "a delay of hours" when the delay is measurable in hours. For shorter delays, use "a delay of minutes", and for longer delays, use "a delay of days" or "a delay of weeks".