a slightly delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slightly delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not on time or has been postponed by a small amount. Example: "The train is expected to arrive a slightly delayed due to weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Sounded a bit like a roller coaster though because half the place was watching on a slightly delayed feed so one group would yell out and then the other group would catch up three seconds later.

The Guardian - Sport

Generally, natural control through predatory organisms, which also cycle opportunistically in a slightly delayed sequence with the pest populations, combined with physical factors like cold winters, provides adequate checks.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Results from the hiragana-based ATMT-C showed a slightly delayed increase pattern in VSWM efficiency compared to the pattern from the number-based ATMT.

Brain and Development

However, the calibrated model (left) presents a slightly delayed and much gradual intermittency transition from 0 to 1, compared to the default model (right).

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Although the pyrolysis rates using this methodology did not provide a perfect fit with experimental data, they showed similar trends, with a slightly delayed prediction but still accurate magnitude.

Journal of Building Engineering

Adding of 1% pristine ND seems not to result in significant changes, with a slightly delayed initial degradation temperature at ca. 447 °C, and the same broad single Tmax as pure polymer matrix.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Our results in pure endothelial cell cultures seem to support such a conclusion since NO had even a slightly delaying effect on intercellular calcium signal propagation in the presence of Cx43.

Cell Communication and Signaling

In sharp corners, a quick turn of the wheel will induce an ideal, although slightly delayed, response.

WikiHow

A thoughtful, well-considered, slightly delayed discharge summary that actually reflects your care or yet another form that you shove at the bottom of the drawer?

The Guardian - Opinion

My order was slightly delayed and a member of staff kindly offered a drink while I waited.

The Guardian - Money

Her sermonizing about being a messiah for society's outcasts turned into a harangue about her own slightly delayed superstardom.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slightly delayed", ensure the context provides a clear reference point for the expected timing. For instance, "The train arrival is a slightly delayed due to unforeseen maintenance."

Common error

Avoid using "a slightly delayed" when the delay is significant. Overstating the insignificance of the delay can be misleading and undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slightly delayed" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is running behind schedule or not perfectly on time. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it is used across varied contexts to express a minor deviation from an expected timeline.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slightly delayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjectival phrase for indicating a minor postponement, as validated by Ludwig. Predominantly found in scientific and news media contexts, it serves to inform audiences about minor scheduling deviations. While the phrase is generally neutral, users should consider context-specific alternatives for more formal or informal communication. Remember that Ludwig AI confirms the accuracy and usability of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a somewhat late

Substitutes "slightly" with "somewhat", indicating a similar degree of delay but potentially a more subjective assessment.

a minimally postponed

Replaces "delayed" with "postponed" and "slightly" with "minimally", emphasizing the act of postponement and its minimal extent.

a marginally adjourned

Uses "adjourned" instead of "delayed", suggesting a temporary suspension or break, and "marginally" for "slightly", conveying a small degree of interruption.

a modestly deferred

Employs "deferred" in place of "delayed", indicating a postponement to a later time, and "modestly" instead of "slightly", maintaining a sense of mild deferral.

a barely late

Replaces "slightly" with "barely", emphasizing the minimal degree of lateness.

a subtly behind schedule

Substitutes "delayed" with "behind schedule" and "slightly" with "subtly", shifting the focus to the adherence to a timeline and the subtle deviation from it.

a fractionally late

Uses "fractionally" to replace "slightly", highlighting the minute degree of lateness.

a gently pushed back

Replaces "delayed" with "pushed back", conveying a softer sense of postponement, and "slightly" with "gently", reinforcing the mildness of the change.

a somewhat tardy

Employs "tardy" in place of "delayed" and "somewhat" instead of "slightly", giving a more traditional or formal tone.

a nominally held up

Uses "held up" as an alternative to "delayed", suggesting an obstruction or hindrance, and "nominally" for "slightly", indicating a delay in name only.

FAQs

How can I use "a slightly delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "a slightly delayed" to describe something that is running a bit behind schedule. For example, "The project has a slightly delayed start due to unforeseen circumstances."

What's a formal alternative to "a slightly delayed"?

A more formal alternative could be "marginally postponed" or "minimally deferred". These phrases are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Which is correct, "a slightly delayed" or "slightly delayed"?

Both are grammatically correct, but using "a slightly delayed" is more appropriate when referring to a specific event or item. The omission of the article "a" can be adequate in informal writing.

What can I say instead of "a slightly delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "a bit late", "running behind", or "somewhat late" depending on the context.