a great delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable amount of time that something is postponed or held up. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a great delay in the delivery of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Others do so after a great delay and a temporary loss of benefits.

The New York Times

But it's a Great Delay now.

Vice

Like most things in my life, my parents divorce happened after a great delay, but which time I was too old to care.

Vice

The database software came one year after the implementation of the policy, creating a great delay in entering data in the database.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

There are neither sufficiently sensitive and specific signs and symptoms nor diagnostic tests for the clinical diagnosis of DIE, resulting in a great delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Boeing delayed its 787 jetliner by an additional six months, but some analysts had expected a greater delay.

The New York Times

In multivariate analysis, a higher admission hematocrit was associated with a greater delay in peak PHE (P=0.06).

Stanford University

While those using the app were more precise in reaching around 103 compressions per minute than the Macarena group, they had a greater delay in making their first compression.

The Guardian

Further, when asked to lose in response to auditory cues, they displayed a significant delay in cognitive processing as compared to the healthy controls (HC), with a greater delay in the presence of a visual distracter.

Journal of the Neurological Sciences

In addition, a greater delay in removing the larva leads to more pronounced and enduring behavioural changes, so the larval effects may depend on a cumulative or dose-dependent process.

Animal Behaviour

Patients not achieving union were diagnosed after a greater delay.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great delay", consider the context and choose a synonym if a more specific nuance is desired. For instance, use "a significant delay" if the impact of the delay is important, or "a lengthy delay" if the duration is the focus.

Common error

Avoid using "great" excessively as an intensifier, especially in formal writing. While "a great delay" is acceptable, relying too much on "great" can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Vary your vocabulary to achieve a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great delay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and used in diverse contexts to denote a considerable postponement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great delay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides context from various sources including news, science, and academic publications. While acceptable in many situations, more formal contexts might benefit from using alternatives like "significant" or "substantial" to enhance precision. The phrase appears most frequently in Science and News & Media, suggesting its utility in conveying delays in these domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant delay

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the delay.

a considerable delay

Highlights the extent or degree of the delay.

a substantial delay

Suggests a delay that is large in amount or degree.

a lengthy delay

Focuses on the duration or length of the delay.

an extensive delay

Implies that the delay covers a large scope or period.

a prolonged delay

Stresses that the delay continues for a long time.

a major delay

Indicates a delay that is serious or important.

a long wait

Uses simpler language to convey the idea of a delay.

a protracted delay

Implies the delay is unnecessarily long.

a tiresome delay

Highlights the frustration associated with the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "a great delay" to describe a significant postponement. For example, "Due to the storm, there was a great delay in the arrival of the shipment."

What can I say instead of "a great delay"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant delay", "a considerable delay", or "a substantial delay" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a great delay" or "a long delay"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a long delay" might be preferred in informal contexts, while "a great delay" is suitable for general use. The best choice depends on the tone you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a great delay" and "a greater delay"?

"A great delay" refers to a significant postponement in general. "A greater delay" implies a comparison, indicating that one delay is longer or more impactful than another.