a momentary delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a momentary delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or temporary pause in an action or process. Example: "Due to a momentary delay in the delivery, the project timeline has been slightly adjusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or it could just be a momentary delay.

The Guardian

And satellite surfing involves a momentary delay per station while the system collects and reassembles the digital bits.

Forbes

Momentarily is the adverbial form of momentary, as in a momentary delay -- a delay that will last but a moment, not begin in a moment.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Interviews with passengers at Logan revealed that most were willing to risk the momentary delay and share personal information if it contributed to overall security.

Huffington Post

If you're in the market for a dependable adaptation of a New York vehicle, pick up one or two or a handful of the sturdy wooden mini-replicas of the very subway cars on which you've experienced "momentary delays," such as the Flushing Local and the Lexington Avenue Express New Yorkk Transit Museum, intersection of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn; $9.95).

The New Yorker

It is a momentary reprieve.

The New York Times - Books

A momentary pause.

The Guardian - Sport

The recruit flashed a momentary smile.

The New York Times

A momentary success bred immediate subsequent failure.

The New York Times

There's a momentary prosperity, there's a momentary peace".

The Guardian

3.40pm GMT A momentary lull.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a momentary delay" when you want to emphasize that an interruption or pause is brief and not expected to last long. This phrasing is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "momentarily" when you mean "momentary". "Momentarily" is an adverb meaning 'for a moment' or 'in a moment', while "momentary" is an adjective meaning 'lasting only for a moment'. Therefore, use "a momentary delay," not "a momentarily delay."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a momentary delay" functions as a noun phrase, where 'momentary' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'delay'. It describes a temporary interruption or pause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a momentary delay" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, describing a brief interruption. While not exceedingly common, as indicated by Ludwig, it appears in diverse sources like news articles and scientific publications. It is crucial to differentiate "momentary" from "momentarily" to avoid misuse. When writing, remember that "momentary" is an adjective, and the phrase is best employed to denote short-lived pauses. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase serves to inform the reader of a temporary suspension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief interruption

Changes the adjective from "momentary" to "brief", emphasizing the short duration of the pause.

a short pause

Replaces "momentary delay" with a more concise and simpler expression.

a temporary suspension

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the interruption.

a fleeting pause

Uses "fleeting" to convey the very short duration of the delay.

a passing delay

Indicates the delay is transient and will soon be over.

a transient interruption

Replaces "momentary" with "transient", offering a more formal tone.

a hiccup

An informal way to describe a small and temporary problem.

a short-term disruption

Highlights the disruptive, yet temporary, aspect of the delay.

a minor setback

Emphasizes the impact of the delay, framing it as a small obstacle.

a temporary hold-up

Uses a more informal, colloquial term for delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "a momentary delay" to describe a brief pause or interruption in an event or process. For example, "Due to "a momentary delay" in the system, the information was not immediately available."

What's the difference between "a momentary delay" and "a temporary delay"?

"A momentary delay" implies a very short duration, perhaps just a few seconds. "A temporary delay" suggests a slightly longer duration, although still not permanent.

Are there any synonyms for "a momentary delay"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "a brief interruption", "a short pause", or "a fleeting pause" as alternatives to "a momentary delay".

Is it correct to say "a momentarily delay"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct phrase is ""a momentary delay"". "Momentary" is an adjective that describes the noun "delay". "Momentarily" is an adverb and would not be used in this context.