after a long delay

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After a long delay the line was completed in 1906.

Britannica

After a long delay, we were flown to Zimbabwe.

The New York Times - Travel

After a long delay, the report is scheduled to be made public on Monday.

The New York Times

After a long delay, his waitress set the drink down in front of him and said.

The New Yorker

I left before Judy launched Savvy, in 1979, after a long delay in her funding.

The New Yorker

After a long delay, in which her left knee was partly taped, Williams returned.

The New York Times - Sports

The revised numbers come because the government has access to better data, after a long delay.

The New York Times

Moreover, most drugs are approved for sale only after a long delay.

The Economist

The defender was dismissed after a long delay which resulted in Callum Evans being taken off on a stretcher.

The Guardian - Sport

After a long delay, a three-week inquest into Perepilichnyy's death is due to be held in March.

The Guardian

Bresnan will bowl the first six of them after a long delay while Captain Cook sets the field.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after a long delay" to clearly indicate that an event occurred later than expected. This phrase works well when the delay itself is a significant part of the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "after a long delay" repeatedly within a short passage. Vary your language with synonyms like "eventually" or "following a considerable period" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a long delay" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically acting as an adverbial modifier. It indicates the timing of an event or action, specifying that it occurred following a significant lapse in time. Ludwig's examples show it often introduces a result or consequence of the delay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after a long delay" is a prepositional phrase commonly used as an adverbial modifier to emphasize that an event occurred later than expected. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources. When writing, use this phrase to highlight the impact of time lapses, but avoid overuse by incorporating synonyms such as "following a protracted delay" or "eventually" for more varied writing. Remember that the phrase implies a significant waiting period, so ensure it aligns with the actual duration being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a protracted delay

Replaces "long" with "protracted", emphasizing the duration of the delay.

after a considerable delay

Substitutes "long" with "considerable", highlighting the significance of the delay.

after a significant waiting period

Replaces "delay" with "waiting period", adding a more descriptive term.

after a noticeable hiatus

Replaces "long delay" with "noticeable hiatus", suggesting a break or interruption.

following an extended period of time

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the prolonged duration.

eventually

Offers a shorter alternative, implying that something happened after an unspecified delay.

subsequently

Indicates that something follows after a period of time.

in due course

Implies that something happens at an appropriate time, even if delayed.

ultimately

Highlights that something happens as a final result after a delay.

down the line

Indicates that something follows after a considerable amount of time.

FAQs

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

You can use "after a long delay" to indicate that something happened later than initially expected. For instance, "After a long delay, the project finally received funding".

What can I say instead of "after a long delay"?

You can use alternatives like "following a protracted delay", "after a considerable delay", or "eventually" depending on the context.

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

Yes, adding "of time" to "after a long delay" is generally considered redundant because "delay" inherently implies a period of time. Stick to "after a long delay" for conciseness.

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

"After a long delay" indicates a significant waiting period, while "after a short delay" implies a brief postponement. The choice depends on the actual duration of the delay and its impact on the situation.