a major delay in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major delay in" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a delay that is particularly lengthy or significant. For example: "There was a major delay in getting the project finished."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Does Israel have the ability to cause severe damage to Iran's nuclear sites and bring about a major delay in the Iranian nuclear project?

The New York Times - Magazine

In 2009, we dealt with an H1N1 pandemic virus that was not growing properly in eggs, the primary substrate for preparation of influenza vaccines, which caused a major delay in vaccine availability.

Science Magazine

Circumstances of the hurricane created a major delay in the conduct of the evaluation.

Unicef

However, one district noted a major delay in disposing of a large amount of injecting materials.

Global health, science and practice

The importance of early glucose control and its influence on patient prognosis cannot be overemphasized; unfortunately, there is often a major delay in the initiation of insulin therapy.

Diabetes Care

Engaging a local NGO: Despite AGLIT's previous experience of this type of study, the detailed negotiation of roles and responsibilities and differences in priorities and views of project ownership created a major delay in delivery until budgets had been negotiated.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The last time such a major delay happened, after an IT glitch in June 2012, UK regulators hit the bank with a fine of £56 million.

Independent

It will be the fourth major delay in performances since January 2010, when previews were originally supposed to begin; the first two delays were due to problems raising money to mount the $65 million show, while a two-week delay in November, caused by the need for more rehearsal time, also pushed back the opening, which had been set for Dec. 21.

The New York Times

The major delay in nursing homes was due to the high frequency of administrative turnover.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

This study establishes the fact that health care provider's delay as another major delay in cervical cancer diagnosis.

BMC Women's Health

In the USA the major delay in receiving emergency treatment following stroke is the time taken to seek medical care following the onset of symptoms[ 26].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major delay in", clearly specify what is being delayed to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "There was a major delay in the project", specify "There was a major delay in the project's completion due to unforeseen circumstances".

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "a major delay in" when describing multiple related incidents. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "significant setback", "considerable postponement", or "substantial deferral" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major delay in" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a significant postponement or setback affecting a particular process, project, or event. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

11%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a major delay in" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe significant postponements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in science, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what is being delayed and to consider varying your language to avoid redundancy. By understanding its usage and potential alternatives, you can effectively communicate the impact of delays in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant setback for

Emphasizes the negative impact or hindrance caused.

a considerable postponement of

Highlights the act of delaying to a notable extent.

a substantial deferral of

Implies a formal or official delay of something.

a large-scale holdup in

Suggests an interruption or obstruction affecting something significant.

a critical impediment to

Focuses on the hindering aspect and its importance.

a serious disruption of

Indicates a disturbance that causes a delay.

a massive lag in

Points to a considerable gap or slowing down.

a major snag in

Denotes an unexpected problem causing a delay.

a prolonged interruption to

Highlights the length and disturbance caused by the delay.

a significant roadblock to

Emphasizes the obstruction that is causing the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "a major delay in" to describe a significant postponement or setback. For example, "There was a major delay in the project's timeline" or "The company experienced a major delay in the product launch".

What are some alternatives to "a major delay in"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant setback for", "a considerable postponement of", or "a substantial deferral of" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a major delay in" and "a minor delay in"?

"A major delay in" indicates a significant and impactful postponement, while "a minor delay in" suggests a less consequential and shorter-term setback. The choice depends on the severity of the delay.

Is it correct to say "a major delay for" instead of "a major delay in"?

While "a major delay for" might be grammatically understandable in some contexts, "a major delay in" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing when referring to something being delayed. "A major delay for" is more likely to be used when discussing who is affected by the delay.