a massive delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a massive delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant or substantial postponement in various contexts, such as travel, project timelines, or event schedules. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a massive delay in the flight schedule, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She would wear what was in fashion – but the fashion would arrive after a massive delay, like the music.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

6.02pm BST 118th over: Sri Lanka 401-6 (Mathews 74, Kulasekara 0) There's a massive delay before Broad's final ball while the field is jigged, rejigged, unjigged and jigged again.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That's what I'm left with.

Vice

I should also have witnessed a setting sun in the picturesque Glacier National Park but massive delays – this is Amtrak – meant it was dark long before then and the sun had, in fact burnished and gilded the delightful brown oil processing facilities of Shelby, Montana.

The Guardian - Books

A spokesman highlighted a burst water main that flooded a central London rail tunnel in January, cancelling more 1,000 trains and causing massive delays south of London, related to work improving London Bridge station.

BBC

"You either have no delays or you have massive delays".

The New York Times - Tech

On top of that, security had been ramped up, leading to massive delays.

The Guardian

"The track record of new reactor projects in Finland and France is massive delays and budget overruns.

The Guardian

Reynolds describes the parlous state of the American railroad system, subject to massive delays and heavily subsidised by the government.

The Guardian - Arts

The cause in both cases: massive delays at America's West Coast ports.Cargo is piling up inside the terminals.

The Economist

"Everywhere you look, there are warnings of massive delays, e-mails going around companies, things in the press — it's a whole lot of scaremongering".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a delay, consider using "a massive delay" to emphasize the significant consequences or disruptions caused. This can effectively convey the severity of the situation to your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "a massive delay" when the delay is relatively minor or insignificant. Overusing the term can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic. Instead, reserve "massive" for situations where the delay truly has substantial consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a massive delay" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a significant postponement. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a massive delay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant postponement, often with substantial consequences. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. While appropriate in various contexts, it's most commonly found in News & Media and Science. For alternatives, consider phrases like ""a significant delay"" or ""a substantial delay"", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to reserve "massive" for delays that truly warrant the emphasis, and avoid overusing it in minor situations. Overall, the phrase effectively communicates the magnitude of a postponement and its potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant delay

Replaces "massive" with "significant", indicating a noteworthy but not necessarily extremely large delay.

a substantial delay

Substitutes "massive" with "substantial", suggesting a considerable and important delay.

a considerable delay

Replaces "massive" with "considerable", indicating a delay worthy of attention.

a huge delay

Uses "huge" instead of "massive", providing a more informal way to emphasize the size of the delay.

a large delay

Uses "large" instead of "massive", providing a general way to emphasize the size of the delay.

a lengthy delay

Focuses on the duration of the delay rather than its impact or size.

a prolonged delay

Highlights the extended nature of the delay, emphasizing its continuous duration.

a major setback

Shifts the focus from the delay itself to its negative consequence as a hindrance.

a considerable setback

Emphasizes the setback, implying a significant halt or obstruction.

an extensive delay

Stresses the scale or scope of the delay, indicating it covers a wide area or range.

FAQs

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

You can use "a massive delay" to describe situations where there is a significant postponement, such as "The project experienced "a massive delay" due to unforeseen circumstances" or "There was "a massive delay" in the delivery of the equipment".

What are some alternatives to "a massive delay"?

Alternatives to "a massive delay" include "a significant delay", "a substantial delay", or "a considerable delay". The choice depends on the specific context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a massive delay" instead of "a significant delay"?

"A massive delay" is appropriate when the delay is exceptionally large and has serious consequences. If the delay is noteworthy but not extraordinarily impactful, "a significant delay" might be a more suitable choice.

Is "a massive delay" formal or informal?

"A massive delay" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might opt for a more precise or nuanced term like "a substantial delay" or "a considerable delay".