be much delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be much delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will experience a significant delay. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project may be much delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

When work began, however, the mud was not as soft as anticipated so the dredger's hourly capacity was lower, meaning the project would be much delayed and flagrantly overshoot its budget.

The Guardian

If he fails to do so, and Likud returns to power intent on holding onto large areas of the West Bank for ideological and security reasons, progress toward peace will be much delayed, at best.

The New York Times

Thus, in these cases ovulation can be much delayed.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The banks are poorly regulated and prone to collapse; privatisation has been much delayed.

The Economist

Otherwise germination fails or is much delayed, with the early growth of the seedling often abnormal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"What the government has done was much delayed," said Gernot Nerb, an economist at the Ifo Institute in Munich.

The New York Times

But production of the second film, The Two Jakes, was much delayed and only emerged in 1990, with Nicholson himself as director.

The Guardian - Film

The sell-off of the branches is much delayed, and was originally supposed to take place before the end of 2013 under terms agreed with the EU at the time of the RBS bailout.

The Guardian - Business

The President's famous remark, during a press conference in the 1960 campaign, that he might be able to think of a major contribution Nixon had made to the Administration "if you give me a week," may have reflected his own decreasing mental agility, but it came after an endorsement that had been much delayed and was somewhat wan.

The New Yorker

The only new power stations energy secretary Amber Rudd seems determined to pursue are nuclear, but even the first proposed one – at Hinkley Point in Somerset – is much delayed and dependent on a yet-to-be agreed French financing package for EDF.

The Guardian - Business

There was no television or radio and newspaper reports were much delayed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be much delayed", consider the context. It's most appropriate when referring to events, projects, or processes that have a specific expected timeline. Overuse in casual conversation might sound overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "be much delayed" in casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "be late" or "be held up" would be more natural and less verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be much delayed" functions as a passive construction, where 'be' serves as a copular verb linking the subject to the adjectival phrase 'much delayed'. According to Ludwig AI, this phrasing is considered grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be much delayed" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a significant postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression effectively communicates that something is experiencing a substantial delay. While more formal than casual alternatives, it's suitable for news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. When writing, remember that this phrase is best used to highlight significant delays and may sound out of place in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be significantly postponed

This alternative emphasizes the act of putting something off to a later time, with a focus on a considerable delay.

be greatly protracted

This alternative highlights the extension of the duration of something, suggesting a drawn-out or prolonged delay.

be considerably deferred

This alternative focuses on the action of delaying something, implying a notable amount of time before it occurs.

be substantially held up

This alternative suggests that something is being blocked or impeded, causing a significant delay in its progress.

encounter a major setback

This alternative refers to a significant obstacle that causes a delay in progress.

experience a lengthy holdup

This alternative focuses on a long period of stoppage or delay.

face extensive postponement

This alternative emphasizes the breadth or scope of the delay involved.

be subject to a long delay

This alternative emphasizes that something is undergoing a lengthy delay.

be heavily postponed

This option focuses on the large extent to which the original deadline is being put off.

meet with significant delays

This alternative emphasizes the occurrence or encounter of substantial delays.

FAQs

How can I use "be much delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "be much delayed" to describe events, projects, or processes that are experiencing a significant postponement. For example, "The project may "be much delayed" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "be much delayed"?

Alternatives include "be significantly postponed", "be greatly protracted", or "be considerably deferred", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "be much delayed" formal or informal?

"Be much delayed" is more formal. In informal contexts, using phrases like "be held up" or "be late" is more appropriate.

What's the difference between "be delayed" and "be much delayed"?

"Be delayed" simply means something is postponed. "Be much delayed" emphasizes that the delay is significant or considerable, adding a degree of intensity to the postponement.