a long delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a long delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where there is an extended period of waiting or postponement. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a long delay in the delivery of the package."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

A long delay, even by Bangladeshi standards.

The Economist

After a long delay, we were flown to Zimbabwe.

The New York Times - Travel

"It was a long delay, and I'm coming off surgery.

The New York Times

A long delay could frustrate investors and damage their image.

The New York Times

After a long delay the line was completed in 1906.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Instead, there will now be a long delay while the two chambers wrangle.

The New York Times

There is no need for such a long delay," she said.

The Guardian

After a long delay, the report is scheduled to be made public on Monday.

The New York Times

After a long delay, his waitress set the drink down in front of him and said.

The New Yorker

He said he hoped it would not be a "long delay".

The New York Times

Once again, I must apologise for a long delay in writing.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a long delay" when the duration of the delay is significant and relevant to the situation.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "a long delay" without explaining its consequences or relevance. Always provide enough context to justify why the delay matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long delay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an extended period of postponement or waiting. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to indicate disruptions or setbacks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long delay" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an extended period of waiting or postponement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently found in news, science, and encyclopedia sources. When using this phrase, provide relevant context to explain the cause or impact of the delay to enhance clarity. Alternatives include "a lengthy delay" and "a significant delay". Avoid simply stating the phrase without further explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lengthy delay

Replaces "long" with "lengthy", emphasizing the extended duration.

a significant delay

Substitutes "long" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the delay.

a considerable delay

Uses "considerable" instead of "long", suggesting a substantial amount of time.

an extended delay

Replaces "long" with "extended", directly indicating a longer duration.

a protracted delay

Uses "protracted" instead of "long", implying the delay is lasting longer than expected.

a substantial delay

Employs "substantial" to replace "long", denoting a considerable size or amount of delay.

a prolonged delay

Similar to "protracted", but emphasizes the continued duration of the delay.

a notable delay

Replaces "long" with "notable", indicating the delay is worthy of attention.

a marked delay

Similar to "notable", but suggests the delay is easily observed or noticeable.

a troublesome delay

Uses "troublesome" instead of "long", highlighting the inconvenience caused by the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long delay" to describe a situation where something is postponed for an extended period. For example, "There was "a long delay" before the payments were stopped."

What are some alternatives to "a long delay"?

You can use alternatives like "a lengthy delay", "a significant delay", or "a considerable delay" to convey a similar meaning.

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

The phrase "a long delay" is more common and grammatically sound in most contexts. "Long delay" might be acceptable in very informal speech or headlines, but "a long delay" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What is the difference between "a long delay" and "a short delay"?

"A long delay" indicates an extended period of postponement, while "a short delay" implies a brief interruption. The choice depends on the actual duration of the delay and the context.