a modest delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minor postponement in a schedule or timeline. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are experiencing a modest delay in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

We got loaded onto a bus after a modest delay.

The New York Times

Allowing for a modest delay would remove the excuse that revealing results would risk giving away hedge funds' investment secrets.

The New York Times

Such small changes imply large effects, and if the beneficial effects on cognition observed in FINGER [Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability] will lead to even a modest delay in onset of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, it would have a huge effect on both individual and societal levels".

The Guardian

Even a modest delay in aging could increase average life expectancy by 2.2 years, compress the period of morbidity at the end of life, and save perhaps $7.1 trillion in health care costs over a period of 50 years, Olshansky and colleagues estimated in a 2013 paper in the journal Health Affairs.

Science Magazine

As cancer is generally a disease of the elderly, only a modest delay in its onset is required to reduce its importance compared to other causes of mortality.

Plosone

The oxt6 mutant also exhibited a modest delay in development under non-stress conditions in long day lengths, as reflected by the number of leaves within the rosette at the time of bolting.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Even a relatively modest delay of 7 days [ 3] from infection to raised titres with a high seroconversion rate of 90% made a substantial impact of the time course of detectable infections.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Using a de-neddylation experiment like that described in Figure 7C we observed a similar, but more modest, delay in CUL1 de-neddylation kinetics in the presence of GFP-HHARI(C357S).

EMBO Journal

A more modest delayed effect on cell viability and cell death was also observed after MEK1/2 inhibition by U0126, similar to the findings in the HPDE cells.

BMC Cancer

However, this modest delay results in a dramatic four-fold reduction in the cost per exome, $5.81 compared to $25.37 (Fig.  2b, d and Additional file 6: Table S4).

BMC Medical Genomics

There was a modest time delay in the appearance of visual symptoms (data not shown) and the abrogation of constitutive luciferase expression when treated with gentamicin at 100 µg/ml.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest delay", consider quantifying it if possible. For example, specify "a modest delay of a few hours" to provide more clarity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "a modest delay". Emphasize its limited impact to maintain credibility and avoid unnecessary alarm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest delay" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a postponement or interruption that is considered small or minor. According to Ludwig, this is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest delay" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small or minor postponement. Ludwig confirms its acceptability and usability in written English. The phrase is frequently encountered in scientific and news contexts, and it serves the purpose of informing audiences about slight setbacks or adjustments. It is typically used in a neutral register and can be quantified for added clarity. Though uncommon, this phrase offers a succinct way to communicate brief interruptions or slowdowns. Alternative phrases include "a slight postponement" and "a minor setback".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight postponement

Replaces "delay" with "postponement" and "modest" with "slight", emphasizing the temporary nature of the delay.

a minor setback

Substitutes "delay" with "setback", implying a temporary impediment or obstacle.

a small lag

Replaces "delay" with "lag", suggesting a brief period of inactivity or slowness.

a brief interruption

Changes the focus to the act of interrupting rather than the delay itself, implying a short-term disruption.

a minimal holdup

Uses "holdup" to describe the delay, conveying a sense of something being briefly detained.

a negligible pause

Emphasizes the insignificance of the delay by using "negligible" to describe the pause.

a short-term deferment

Replaces "delay" with "deferment", suggesting a formal postponement for a limited duration.

a marginal waiting period

Highlights the waiting aspect of the delay by using "waiting period", implying a slight increase in time.

a tempered slowdown

Replaces the idea of a delay with a slowdown. "Tempered" suggests it is not excessive.

a limited retardation

Uses "retardation" to describe the delay, which, though unusual, implies a slowing down within certain processes.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "a slight postponement", "a minor setback", or "a small lag depending on the context.

How to use "a modest delay" in a sentence?

You can say, "We anticipate "a modest delay" in the delivery schedule due to unforeseen circumstances"."

What does "a modest delay" mean?

"A modest delay" refers to a small or minor postponement or setback in a scheduled activity or timeline.

Is it better to say "slight delay" or "a modest delay"?

Both "slight delay" and "a modest delay" are acceptable. The choice depends on your preference, as they convey a similar meaning.