after considerable delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after considerable delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something happened following a significant amount of time that was spent waiting or postponing. Example: "After considerable delay, the project was finally approved by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Moynihan had, after considerable delay, assimilated the failures of the Great Society he wrote about 25 years earlier.

The New York Times - Magazine

After considerable delay, he enters his editor's office which has been transformed into a blacksmith shop where Mr. Krakauer is hard at work at the anvil.

The New Yorker

GRAFFITI After considerable delay, Jehangir Mehta, who has created some of the more unusual desserts in New York, has finally joined the growing ranks of pastry chefs with their own places.

The New York Times - Food

Thus far, after considerable delay and pressure from some on Capitol Hill for more robust action, Mr Obama has approved shipments of only light arms and ammunition in a CIA covert operation, using funds from the agency's existing budget.

Independent

However, after considerable delay he was given what was technically a leave of absence.

SEP

Campeggio came out in favour of the legitimacy of the marriage, after considerable delay in travelling and reviewing the canonical evidence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Patients who get to the hospital often arrive after considerable delays, and are only a fraction of those that should arrive.

Human Resources for Health

Several weeks later, the same search yielded results, but after a considerable delay.

The New York Times - Travel

Push a button, connect to the mini-Web, scroll through menus and news, sports, stock quotes and even Yahoo's mail, calendar and address book appear on your screen (albeit sometimes after a considerable delay).

Forbes

After a considerable delay, the US finally intervened to broker a deal on Oct 30, which has since been rejected outright by Zelaya and decried by the International community.

Huffington Post

Thus the vasculogenic switch did occur in the absence of the homologous tissue stem cells (TSCs) from the graft but only after a considerable delay (about two weeks).

F1000Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "considerable" with a more specific adjective (e.g. "unexplained delay", "unforeseen delay") to add more context for why the delay happened.

Common error

Avoid using "after considerable delay" repeatedly within a short span of text. This can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, use synonyms or rephrase the sentence to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after considerable delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing of an action. As supported by Ludwig, it clarifies when something occurred, specifically highlighting that it happened following a noteworthy period of waiting or postponement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "after considerable delay" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to emphasize that an event happened following a notable period of waiting. As indicated by Ludwig, it is commonly found in both news and scientific writing and is thus suitable for various contexts. When writing, be sure that you are not overusing the phrase and make sure the context makes clear what caused the delay to begin with.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a lengthy postponement

Replaces "considerable delay" with a more descriptive term, focusing on the prolonged nature of the delay.

after a significant waiting period

Emphasizes the time spent waiting, using "significant" instead of "considerable".

subsequent to a long interval

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the passage of time before an event.

eventually, following a prolonged wait

Adds emphasis on the eventual occurrence after waiting.

after a substantial time lapse

Focuses on the elapsed time, using the term "time lapse".

following an extended period of latency

Employs technical language to describe the delay as a period of inactivity.

in due course, but only after a long wait

Highlights the eventual and expected nature of the event, but with a delay.

eventually, after much procrastination

Implies the delay was due to hesitation or unwillingness to act.

down the line, but with some delay

Downplays the scale of the delay itself.

later than expected, due to holdups

Highlights the unexpected nature and cause of the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "after considerable delay" to indicate that something happened following a significant amount of waiting or postponement. For example: "After considerable delay, the project was finally approved."

What can I say instead of "after considerable delay"?

Alternatives include "following a lengthy postponement", "after a significant waiting period", or "subsequent to a long interval", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "after considerable delay" or "following a considerable delay"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific rhythm of the sentence.

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

"After a short delay" indicates that something happened relatively soon, while "after considerable delay" suggests a much longer period of waiting or postponement.