a one hour delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"a one hour delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are referring to an event, task, or activity being delayed by one hour. Example: Due to technical difficulties, the flight had to experience a one hour delay.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We observed at most a one hour delay in the onset of Pros expression in R7 cells containing four copies of Yan-YFP, far less than the ten-hour delay predicted if absolute concentration of Yan-YFP dictated when Pros expression begins.

eLife

One involving a patient death and another incident where there was a one hour delay in getting through to NHS 111 for a patient who was deteriorating in a nursing home.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Furious that we have a one hour delayed telecast but am very thankful for the guardian... .. Why thank you, Michael.

The Guardian - Sport

Boats: Ferry passengers are entitled to 25 per cent of their fare back for a one-hour delay on a journey of up to four hours, with longer journeys in proportion.

Independent

The Peacock Network plans to show the Opening Ceremonies of the Rio Olympic Games on Friday night with a one-hour delay.

The Washington Post

The jet continued on to the state of Goias after a one-hour delay.

The New York Times

The frustration of commuters burst into open rebellion on April 14 when a group of riders, angry over a one-hour delay at the Huntington station, commandeered a train they thought was heading to storage and ordered the conductor to take them to Port Jefferson.

The New York Times

Promised a meeting with team owners, the players took the field after a one-hour delay.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Blair's flight to Texas was listed as having a one-hour delay.

The New York Times

Inspectors will also investigate reports of a one-hour delay between the derailment and the call to firefighters.

The New York Times

At one point, Bubka withdrew from the competition, and there was a one-hour delay until he was persuaded to return.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about delays, be specific about the cause and impact, not just the duration. For example, specify if "a one hour delay" was due to weather or mechanical issues, and how it affected schedules or plans.

Common error

Avoid using "a one hour delay" when the event is actually cancelled. A delay implies the event will still happen, just later. Cancellation means it won't happen at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a one hour delay" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a specific instance of postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a one hour delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that effectively conveys a temporary postponement of 60 minutes. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's versatile enough for various registers, though most frequently found in news and scientific reporting. When using the phrase, specificity about the cause and impact of the delay enhances clarity. While “delay” implies a temporary hold, be mindful not to confuse it with complete cancellations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A delay of an hour

Changes the sentence structure slightly.

One hour's delay

Uses a possessive form to express the duration of the delay.

A sixty-minute postponement

Specifies the delay in minutes instead of hours.

A one-hour setback

Replaces "delay" with "setback", emphasizing the negative impact.

Sixty minutes of delay

Expresses the delay in terms of minutes.

A one-hour hold-up

Uses "hold-up" as a synonym for "delay".

A one-hour interruption

Substitutes "delay" with "interruption", focusing on the disruption.

An hour's wait

Focuses on the waiting aspect of the delay.

A brief delay

Understates the delay, implying it is relatively short, but not necessarily exactly one hour.

Short term deferment

Uses more formal and alternative synonyms for the concept.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a one hour delay" and "a two hour delay"?

"A one hour delay" means something is postponed by 60 minutes, while "a two hour delay" means it's postponed by 120 minutes. The difference is simply the duration of the postponement.

What are common reasons for "a one hour delay" in air travel?

Common causes include weather conditions, air traffic congestion, mechanical issues, or waiting for connecting passengers or cargo. The specific reason is usually communicated by the airline.

Can I use "a one hour delay" to describe something that's permanently stopped?

No, "a one hour delay" implies a temporary postponement, not a permanent stop. If something is permanently stopped, use words like "cancelled" or "terminated" instead.

What can I say instead of "a one hour delay" to sound more formal?

You can use phrases like "a delay of one hour" or "a sixty-minute postponement" for a more formal tone. The best choice depends on the specific context and audience.