a two-hour delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a two-hour delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where something is postponed or held up for a duration of two hours. Example: "Due to inclement weather, there is a two-hour delay for all flights departing from the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Schools previously were on a two-hour delay.

The Washington Post

● Culpeper County Public Schools will open on a two-hour delay.

The Washington Post

This is a change from being open on a two-hour delay.

The Washington Post

● Fauquier County Public Schools will open on a two-hour delay.

The Washington Post

Anne Ritchie and other tired passengers waiting out a two-hour delay for a flight to New York.

The New York Times

As Northwest Airlines counts it, Janis Cavinder endured a two-hour delay during a quick trip to London to celebrate the Fourth of July with a college roommate.

The New York Times

Virginia Russell, a packaging designer who lives in Brooklyn, officially had just a two-hour delay on her evening flight from Newark to Cleveland in February.

The New York Times

The passengers all had to disembark and reboard, causing a two-hour delay in the departure of Frontier Airlines flight 1612 from Orlando to Cleveland.

The Guardian

In 2007, though, there was a two-hour delay from the discovery of Cho's first two victims to the first e-mail alert to campus.

The Washington Post

There was a two-hour delay from the discovery of Cho's first two victims to the first e-mail alert to campus.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ask those who blocked a deal in November #EUCO February 7, 2013 However the start time of the gathering has been put back to 17.30, a two hour delay (seems to be a day for them with both Mark Carney and Mario Draghi late for their respective meetings).

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about schedules or events, use "a two-hour delay" to clearly communicate the length of the postponement. For emphasis, follow with specific information like the new start time or affected arrangements.

Common error

Avoid writing "a two hour delay" (without the hyphen) because "two-hour" functions as a single adjective modifying "delay".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a two-hour delay" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples show its use in describing postponements of events, schedules, and activities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a two-hour delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase to indicate a postponement of two hours. Ludwig's analysis, based on numerous examples from reputable sources, confirms its widespread acceptance. Predominantly found in news and formal business contexts, it serves to inform about schedule changes. When using this phrase, ensure correct hyphenation and adapt its formality to the writing context. Alternatives such as "two-hour postponement" may suit more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Two-hour postponement

Replaces "delay" with a more formal term, "postponement".

120-minute delay

Expresses the delay in minutes instead of hours for specificity.

Delay of two hours

Reorders the words, shifting the emphasis slightly.

Two-hour setback

Uses "setback" to suggest a hindrance or obstacle.

Two-hour interruption

Highlights the disruptive nature of the delay.

Two-hour hold-up

Replaces "delay" with a more informal term, "hold-up".

A couple of hours' delay

Rephrases the quantity of hours in a more casual manner.

Two hours behind schedule

Indicates being late by two hours relative to a plan.

A delay lasting two hours

Adds the duration of the delay explicitly.

Two-hour waiting period

Replaces "delay" with "waiting period", emphasizing the time spent waiting.

FAQs

How can I use "a two-hour delay" in a sentence?

You can use "a two-hour delay" to describe a situation where something is postponed for two hours. For example, "Due to the storm, there was "a two-hour delay" for all flights."

What's a more formal way to say "a two-hour delay"?

A more formal alternative to "a two-hour delay" is "two-hour postponement", which is suitable for official announcements or business communications.

Is it correct to write "a 2-hour delay" instead of "a two-hour delay"?

Yes, using the numeral "2" is acceptable, especially in contexts with space constraints such as schedules or tables. Both "a two-hour delay" and "a 2-hour delay" are grammatically correct and understandable.

What can cause "a two-hour delay"?

Various factors can lead to "a two-hour delay", including weather conditions, technical issues, traffic congestion, or unforeseen circumstances. For example, "The concert experienced "a two-hour delay" due to a power outage."