after a lengthy delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a lengthy delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something occurs following a significant period of waiting or postponement. Example: "The train finally arrived after a lengthy delay, much to the relief of the passengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sports

General

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

After a lengthy delay, the trial resumed in February 2003.

The New York Times

After a lengthy delay, the same film is rewound and shown again.

The Guardian - Film

After a lengthy delay, trainers carried him off the field with no weight on the leg.

The Washington Post

After a lengthy delay, the first trade crossed the ticker at $87 — almost ten times the issue price.

The New Yorker

After a lengthy delay, the first trade crossed the ticker at $87 almost ten times the issue price.

The New Yorker

Only after a lengthy delay was the agency prodded, in 2009, into opening an investigation into whether the first two Honda recalls of Takata airbags were adequate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

However band members arrived at Beijing's airport in North Korean embassy vehicles on Saturday afternoon and departed aboard a North Korean Air Koryo jet shortly after 4pm following a lengthy delay, the Chinese news website sina.com reported.

The Guardian

Now, 10 years and ¤19 million later, after much anticipation and a lengthy delay, the key results on brain tumors have been published (Interphone Study Group 2010).

Environmental Health Perspectives

There was a lengthy delay, however, after the first bout on the undercard when winds of up to 45 miles an hour swirled inside this stadium cut from the mountains and rocked the metal girders that held the lights above ringside.

The New York Times - Sports

There then followed a lengthy delay as Tagliapietra was stretchered from the field after picking up an injury at a corner.

BBC

"I wouldn't anticipate a lengthy delay".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "after a lengthy delay", ensure the delay's impact or consequences are clearly stated to emphasize its significance in the overall context.

Common error

Avoid using "after a lengthy delay" without clarifying the reason for the delay, as this can leave the reader confused or speculating unnecessarily. Specify what caused the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a lengthy delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action occurred in relation to a period of waiting. It sets a temporal context, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "after a lengthy delay" is a grammatically sound and neutral expression used to indicate that an event occurred following a significant waiting period. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests it commonly functions as an adverbial phrase, emphasizing the temporal context and potential impact of the delay. While versatile, its use is most prevalent in news and media, followed by academic contexts. Remember to clarify the cause of the delay for better context and avoid redundant phrasing. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase effectively conveys the sense of something happening only after a considerable pause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a considerable delay

Replaces 'lengthy' with 'considerable', emphasizing the substantial nature of the delay.

subsequent to a prolonged delay

Uses more formal vocabulary ('subsequent', 'prolonged') to indicate the delay.

after a protracted period of waiting

Replaces 'delay' with 'protracted period of waiting', offering a more descriptive alternative.

following an extensive postponement

Replaces 'lengthy delay' with 'extensive postponement', highlighting the act of delaying.

after a drawn-out interruption

Focuses on the interruption aspect of the delay, suggesting a disruption that has been prolonged.

eventually, after much waiting

Indicates that something happens finally after a lot of time has passed.

in due course, following a long pause

Highlights that things happen at the right time, but after a significant break.

eventually, once the hold-up concluded

Indicates that something occurred when the obstacle concluded.

in the end, after a drawn out wait

Highlights something came to an end after a long wait

down the line, subsequent to an extended interlude

Highlights when something happens and that an interlude had occurred beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "after a lengthy delay" in a sentence?

You can use "after a lengthy delay" to indicate that something happened following a considerable period of waiting. For example, "After a lengthy delay, the project was finally completed".

What are some alternatives to "after a lengthy delay"?

Some alternatives include "following a considerable delay", "subsequent to a prolonged delay", or "after a protracted period of waiting".

Is it redundant to say "after a lengthy delay of time"?

Yes, specifying "of time" is redundant because a delay inherently involves time. It's better to simply say "after a lengthy delay".

What's the difference between "after a lengthy delay" and "after a short delay"?

"After a lengthy delay" implies a significant waiting period, whereas "after a short delay" indicates a brief interruption. They describe the duration of the delay, with lengthy meaning long and short meaning brief.