a tiny delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tiny delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minor postponement in time. Example: "Due to a tiny delay in the shipment, we expect the package to arrive tomorrow instead of today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

IEX's computers will be set up with a tiny delay designed to prevent the fastest traders from getting a jump on everyone else.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sholes then designed the keyboard so that these pairs were separated, thus introducing a tiny delay between the activation of one letter and the next.

The New Yorker

However, a tiny delay may significantly degrade the quality of experience due to the real-time characteristic of multimedia.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Meanwhile, a pair of Japanese researchers deployed their SpeechJammer, which thwarts people from speaking by projecting their voice back at them with a tiny delay; the invention won the researchers this year's Ig Nobel prize in acoustics.

Science Magazine

That's a tiny delay — it takes hundreds of times longer to blink — but it's enough to take away the advantage of speedier traders.

Los Angeles Times

Unlike other exchanges, IEX intentionally slows down trading, requiring all trades to go past what the firm calls a speed bump — hardware that adds a tiny delay just long enough to stymie some of the strategies the exchange's founders say high-speed traders use to prey on big investors like Capital Group.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

One of the most convenient and effective options—a tiny implant that can delay conception for three to five years is inserted into a woman's arm and can later be removed at any time to restore fertility.

Johns Hopkins University

Perhaps, turning 32 on Christmas Day, his eyes might be tiring a little, tiny delays in picking up line and length leading to problems with foot movement and balance – and slip catching.

The Guardian - Sport

Jeff Monroe, chief executive of Verne Global – whose colocation data centre in Keflavik, Iceland, counts German carmaker BMW and Silicon Valley's Risk Management Solutions among its customers – said there was what he called a "data gravity" trend for companies to split their IT applications and move the low-latency operations – those that can operate with a tiny time delay – towards the north.

The Guardian - Tech

Generally the tiny delay is all but imperceptible.

The New York Times - Tech

Not only that, he was determined to establish a new stock exchange that used tiny delays to prevent the advantages gained by so-called high-frequency traders.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing technical systems or processes, use "a tiny delay" to emphasize how even minimal time differences can have significant consequences, particularly in areas like high-frequency trading or network communications.

Common error

Avoid using "a tiny delay" when describing situations where the delay actually has significant consequences. If the delay leads to major problems, consider using phrases like "a critical delay" or "an impactful delay" to better reflect the situation's severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tiny delay" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a specific instance of being late or postponed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tiny delay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minimal postponement. Ludwig AI's analysis of real-world examples shows it is most frequently used in news and media, science and academia contexts. While the phrase is considered correct and usable, it is important to accurately reflect the scale of the delay's impact. When a more noticeable pause is needed, alternatives like "a slight delay" or "a brief interruption" may be more appropriate. Using the phrase "a tiny delay" accurately can help you to communicate effectively about the temporal aspects of processes, projects, or events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an almost imperceptible delay

Highlights that the delay is so minimal it's barely noticeable.

a negligible holdup

Indicates that the delay is so small as to be almost insignificant.

a fractional pause

Conveys an extremely small amount of time.

a slight pause

Emphasizes the brevity of the interruption in terms of action or speech.

a short interruption

Highlights the temporary nature of the disruption.

a momentary lag

Highlights a brief period of inactivity or slowness.

a fleeting hesitation

Suggests a brief moment of doubt or uncertainty causing the delay.

a brief hiccup

Suggests a small, unexpected disruption in a process.

a minor setback

Focuses on the delay as a small obstacle to progress.

a small respite

Emphasizes the temporary relief provided by the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "a tiny delay" to describe a short postponement, as in "Due to "a tiny delay" in the shipment, the product will arrive tomorrow".

What phrases are similar to "a tiny delay"?

Alternatives include "a slight pause", "a brief hiccup", or "a negligible holdup", depending on the context.

Is "a tiny delay" formal or informal?

"A tiny delay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal or technical writing, consider more precise terms like "a minimal latency" or "a fractional pause".

What is the difference between "a tiny delay" and "a significant delay"?

"A tiny delay" implies a minimal and often inconsequential postponement, while "a significant delay" indicates a substantial postponement with noticeable consequences.