a delay until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a delay until" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be postponed or will not happen until a specified time or event occurs. Example: "There will be a delay until the new software is fully tested and approved for use."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His request for a delay until Oct. 17 was granted.

The New York Times

"We were asking for a delay until then," she said.

The New York Times

But high winter waves may force a delay until spring.

The New York Times

This can be a final no or a delay until you do have the time.

Columbia University

The Franks campaign immediately questioned the need for a delay until after Election Day.

The New York Times

The group has filed a lawsuit, and it won a delay, until February.

The New York Times

An earlier version referred to a "delay until 31 October 2018".

The Guardian

"But the low inflation outlook suggests the odds are still in favour of a delay until early next year".

The Guardian - Business

He is expected to schedule a hearing for late next week, although the league wants a delay until next month.

The New York Times - Sports

A delay until 22 May, agreed with the EU last week, was dependent on the deal passing.

The Guardian

Analysts and diplomats believe that a delay until the end of the year makes the most sense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a delay until" when you want to clearly state that an event or action will not proceed before a certain point in time. It provides a straightforward indication of postponement.

Common error

Ensure the date or event following "a delay until" is clearly defined. Vague references can cause confusion. Be specific to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a delay until" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating a postponement or deferment of an event or action to a specific future time. This is confirmed by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase consistently introduces the point at which the delay concludes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a delay until" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something is postponed and will not occur before a specific time or event. Ludwig confirms its widespread use across various sources. It is most frequently found in news and media, business, and scientific contexts, offering a clear and neutral way to communicate postponements. While alternatives like "postponement to" or "pushed back to" exist, "a delay until" provides a straightforward and widely understood way to convey this information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed till

A more concise alternative using 'till' instead of 'until'.

a postponement to

Focuses on the act of postponing, which is a more formal term.

a hold until

Suggests a temporary pause until a specified time.

a deferral to

Implies a formal holding back to a future time.

rescheduled for

Specifically indicates a new schedule has been created.

pushed back to

Emphasizes the act of moving something to a later time, often due to external pressures.

put off till

An informal way to express delaying something.

carried over to

Indicates that something is moved to a later time, often in a series or sequence.

adjourned to

Suggests a temporary suspension of proceedings to a later date.

remanded until

Used in legal contexts to indicate a case is sent back for further proceedings at a later date.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a delay until" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a postponement to" or "a deferral to". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What's a less formal way to say "a delay until"?

Informally, you could say "put off till" or "pushed back to". These options are more appropriate for casual conversations.

Is it correct to use "delayed till" instead of "a delay until"?

Yes, "delayed till" is a correct and more concise alternative to "a delay until". Both are widely understood and acceptable.

When should I use "a delay until" versus "rescheduled for"?

"A delay until" indicates a postponement without a specific new date immediately set, while "rescheduled for" implies that a new date has already been determined. Use "a delay until" when the new timing is yet to be confirmed.