actual delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "actual delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a delay that is real or significant, often in contrast to perceived or expected delays. Example: "The actual delay in the project timeline was longer than we initially anticipated due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

It should be large enough to accommodate the largest actual delay requested at run-time.

Stanford University

This is aimed at physical modeling instruments where a tap is doing the actual delay line read.

Stanford University

The actual delay becomes a measure of the flaw's location; a map of the material can be generated to illustrate the location and geometry of the flaws.

Britannica

First, the actual delay is investigated and bounds on its magnitude and on its time-derivative are estimated, emulating different geographical connections.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Another study, which came out at about the same time as ours, showed an actual delay in onset of the monsoon, which is a big deal if you are trying to decide when to plant.

Yale University

pm determines how far from the normal index we are; that is, it is difference between the nominal delay length (size) and the current actual delay length (size + pm).

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The deal will allow model rail hobbyists to pick up their items while experiencing actual delays, penalty fares and aromas emanating from fast-food outlets.

The Guardian - Business

The key idea is to leverage feedbacks from the lower layers about the actual delays experienced by packets in order to tune at run-time the priority of the IP service classes in a closed-loop control with the objective of supporting a PDM at the network node on the whole, considering the cumulative latency in crossing the first three layers of the protocol stack, as relevant for the end-user.

Procedia Computer Science

As soon as the tests are executed and the actual delays to receive test replies are measured, the threshold gets closer to the mean time testers take to receive a reply.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

However, because the experimental step was 2.5 sec, the actual delays were the above delays rounded to the next 2.5 sec increment.

Plosone

Statistical analysis was then performed with particular focus on actual delays affecting elderly patients.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "actual delay", clearly specify the expected or planned timeframe to highlight the deviation caused by the delay. This provides context and emphasizes the impact of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "actual delay" when referring to delays that are inherently expected or planned for. "Actual delay" should highlight deviations from the norm, not standard operating procedures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual delay" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "actual" modifies the noun "delay". Ludwig AI indicates that it is used to describe a delay that has verifiably occurred. This contrasts with planned or expected delays.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

20%

News & Media

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

14%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "actual delay" is a commonly used phrase to denote a realized postponement, often contrasting with planned or expected timelines. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in science, academia, and news reporting. When writing, ensure to use "actual delay" to highlight deviations from expected schedules, and avoid redundancy by not using it for inherently planned delays. Alternatives like "real delay" or "true delay" can be used to add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

real delay

Replaces "actual" with "real", emphasizing the genuineness of the delay.

true delay

Substitutes "actual" with "true", highlighting the factual nature of the delay.

genuine delay

Uses "genuine" instead of "actual", stressing the authenticity of the delay.

effective delay

Replaces "actual" with "effective", focusing on the delay's impact.

experienced delay

Emphasizes the delay that was encountered or lived through.

observed delay

Highlights that the delay was noticed or recorded.

measured delay

Focuses on the fact that the delay was quantified.

calculated delay

Implies the delay was determined through computation.

verified delay

Highlights that the delay has been confirmed or validated.

concrete delay

Uses "concrete" to emphasize the tangibility and reality of the delay.

FAQs

How do I use "actual delay" in a sentence?

Use "actual delay" to describe a postponement that has occurred, especially when contrasting it with an expected or projected timeline. For example: "The "actual delay" was longer than anticipated."

What's a good alternative to "actual delay"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "real delay", "true delay", or "genuine delay". Each option emphasizes the factual nature of the delay.

How does "actual delay" differ from "expected delay"?

"Actual delay" refers to the delay that really happened, while "expected delay" is a delay that was anticipated or planned for. The "actual delay" may differ significantly from what was expected.

When is it appropriate to use "actual delay" vs. simply "delay"?

Use "actual delay" when you want to emphasize that the delay is a confirmed fact and perhaps different from an earlier estimate or expectation. Using just "delay" is suitable when the context is already clear.