allow for delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allow for delays" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the possibility of delays in a schedule, plan, or process, indicating that one should take such delays into account. Example: "When planning the project timeline, it is important to allow for delays due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Mr Zagora, for example, wants to introduce just-in-time production as soon as logistics permit (for the moment, he has to keep stocks to allow for delays on the Czech-German border).

The Economist

I couldn't face returning to the bunk, and I was still too sick to look at seabirds, and so I stood for five hours and did little but imagine changing my return flight, which I'd booked for the following week to allow for delays, and going home early.

The New Yorker

Another relevant extension would be to allow for delays in the differential equations.

BMC Genomics

To allow for delays in scheduling catheter removal in these seriously ill patients, patients who had all catheters removed or replaced to another anatomical location by study Day 3 were considered to have had their catheters removed.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That ratings system itself is in the midst of upheaval because of the increasing use of digital video recorders, which allow for delayed viewing, and the shift by advertisers toward buying shows on how well their commercials are rated after three days of viewing — the so-called C3 measurement.

The New York Times

The system employs hard fairness, that is, it does not allow for delay, and data is assumed to arrive at users' transmit buffers in each slot.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The 3-month time frame was to assure that all potential clinical follow-up visits were captured and to allow for delay in posting to the electronic medical record.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Rather, a prolonged observation period (1 to 2 weeks) should be considered to allow for delayed neurological recovery.

Critical Care

We believe that this information could help nephrologist in measuring ICa in a non-urgent situation, because frozen samples allow for delayed analysis.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

In the analysis of vaccination effect, a pre-vaccination period of two weeks was analyzed separately to allow for delayed vaccination due to febrile convulsion.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Vital status was ascertained at the end of June 2008 and all analyses were censored on 31 December 2007 to allow for delay in reporting of vital status.

Breast Cancer Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When managing projects, calculate realistic timeframes by benchmarking tasks individually and then adding a delay buffer on top to ensure unforeseen issues don't derail the entire plan. This prevents tasks from being rushed due to unexpected setbacks.

Common error

Avoid setting deadlines based on ideal conditions. Underestimating the probability and impact of delays is a widespread pitfall; instead, analyze past projects and consider historical data to predict and proactively mitigate potential disruptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allow for delays" functions as a directive, advising the consideration or accommodation of potential delays within a plan or process. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It's often used to ensure realistic expectations and prevent disruptions, as shown in examples where project timelines and catheter removals are scheduled.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allow for delays" is a grammatically sound phrase used to recommend the consideration of potential delays during planning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in various writing contexts. While it appears primarily in scientific and news media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for general use. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "account for potential delays" or "factor in possible delays" to add variety to your writing. Remember to proactively anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions rather than setting over-optimistic schedules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

account for potential delays

Replaces "allow" with "account", emphasizing a more thorough consideration of possible delays.

factor in possible delays

Uses "factor in" to suggest including delays as a component in planning.

consider potential setbacks

Shifts focus from "delays" to the broader term "setbacks", encompassing more than just time-related issues.

make provision for delays

Emphasizes the act of making arrangements or preparing specifically for potential delays.

plan for potential delays

Focuses on the planning aspect, indicating that delays should be part of the initial strategy.

anticipate possible delays

Highlights the predictive aspect of recognizing and preparing for potential delays.

provide a buffer for delays

Introduces the concept of a "buffer" or extra time to absorb the impact of delays.

build in contingency time

Uses more formal language to suggest incorporating extra time as a contingency measure.

leave room for delays

Implies creating flexibility within a schedule to accommodate unexpected delays.

incorporate slack time for delays

Uses technical vocabulary, common in project management, to refer to time available to cover unplanned events.

FAQs

How can I use "allow for delays" in a sentence?

You can use "allow for delays" when you want to indicate that you are taking into consideration the possibility of delays when planning or scheduling something. For example, "We need to "allow for delays" in the shipping process."

What are some alternatives to "allow for delays"?

Some alternatives to "allow for delays" include "account for potential delays", "factor in possible delays", or "consider potential setbacks" depending on the specific context.

When is it important to "allow for delays"?

It's important to "allow for delays" in any situation where unforeseen circumstances could impact a timeline or schedule, such as project management, travel planning, or event organization. This helps prevent disappointment and keeps expectations realistic.

Is it better to "allow for delays" or "plan for delays"?

Both ""allow for delays"" and "plan for potential delays" are correct, but they emphasize slightly different aspects. "Allow for" suggests accommodating potential delays, while "plan for" suggests proactively incorporating them into the strategy.