a significant delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe any situation in which there is an unusually long wait between the start and finish of something. For example, "The project experienced a significant delay due to the unexpected weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

For instance, Companies House data is free but there's a significant delay of 12 18 months.

The Guardian

In 2006, high winds toppled cranes at the construction site, causing a significant delay.

The New York Times

"It will not be possible to use any surgical means to bring about a significant delay," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Monthly admissions numbers (actual bums on seats) always arrive after a significant delay, and the ones for July were recently released: 14.32 million.

The Guardian - Film

"Every single major project under way experienced a significant delay in time and overrun in budget -- not two or three out of five, but five out of five.

The New York Times

Biopure said it thinks the S.E.C. is concerned that the company had suggested its blood substitute was moving smoothly toward approval, only to then announce a significant delay.

The New York Times

"The system we have in place will ensure that the proper call is made on home run balls and will not cause a significant delay in the game".

The New York Times - Sports

While Day was able to get up after a significant delay and medical attention and close out a round of even-par 70, he was in obvious distress.

The Guardian

There was a significant delay of diagnosis in these patients.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

A significant delay in growth of C. gloesporioides was observed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Therefore, a significant delay arises from a long sampling period.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of "a significant delay", follow it with a 'due to' phrase to clearly explain the cause of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "a significant delay" when a minor or negligible delay has occurred. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "significant" is an adjective modifying the noun "delay". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a significant delay" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a considerable postponement or slowdown. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a versatile tool for expressing temporal setbacks. It is frequently found in both scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the delay is truly significant and consider clarifying the cause using a 'due to' phrase. Remember that overusing the phrase may diminish its impact. Consider alternatives like "a considerable delay" or "a major setback" to enhance the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable delay

Emphasizes the substantial length of the delay, maintaining a neutral tone.

a substantial delay

Highlights the importance and impact of the delay.

a major setback

Shifts the focus to the negative consequences of the delay, suggesting a disruption to progress.

a lengthy postponement

Replaces 'delay' with 'postponement' highlighting that the action was intentionally deferred for a long time.

a prolonged holdup

Uses more informal language, suggesting an obstruction or interruption that causes the delay.

a marked slowdown

Focuses on the reduced pace of progress rather than the static delay.

a critical impediment

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the delay as a major obstacle.

an extensive wait

Replaces delay with 'wait', emphasizing the time spent waiting for something to happen.

a protracted lag

Uses 'lag' to highlight the extended period of inactivity or slow progress.

a noticeable lull

Suggests a temporary pause or reduction in activity that causes the delay.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to express "a significant delay"?

You can use phrases like "a considerable delay", "a substantial delay", or "a major setback" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "a significant delay"?

This phrase is suitable when describing situations where there is an unexpectedly extended waiting period or postponement, impacting project timelines, diagnoses, or other time-sensitive events.

What distinguishes "a significant delay" from a regular delay?

The term "significant" emphasizes that the delay is noteworthy and consequential, having a considerable impact beyond a typical or expected delay.

Can "a significant delay" be used in both formal and informal writing?

Yes, "a significant delay" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing, though the tone might be adjusted depending on the audience and context.