briefest delay

USAGE SUMMARY

'briefest delay' is correct and is commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe a short amount of time someone has to wait for something - for example: "She waited with the briefest delay before responding to the question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

With the clock ticking toward a Jan . 1deadline, the briefest delay can feel like a full-blown crisis to panicky high school seniors.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A brief delay while Grabavoy is treated.

The Guardian - Sport

The bus continued to New York after a brief delay.

The New York Times

CIFS "shares" will be come unavailable, but access will resume after a brief delay.

Cornell University

After a brief delay, Gonzalez told the Toronto trainer, Tommy Craig, that he could continue to play.

The New York Times - Sports

Flight SA320 will be one hour late, following a brief delay in Atlanta.

The New Yorker

CHAPMAN IN COURT; WINS BRIEF DELAY; Convict Watches Calmly as His Counsel Scan Government Briefs.

The New York Times

Archives|CHAPMAN IN COURT; WINS BRIEF DELAY; Convict Watches Calmly as His Counsel Scan Government Briefs.

The New York Times

Eusebio was unable to make the play, and left the game after a brief delay.

The New York Times - Sports

There will be a brief delay while traffic moves through from the other direction.

The New Yorker

Usually, the brief delay was not a problem, except when I missed a turn.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "briefest delay" when you want to emphasize that an action will occur with almost no waiting time, highlighting efficiency and speed.

Common error

Avoid using "briefest delay" excessively in writing, as it can sound repetitive or hyperbolic. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "minimal delay" or "shortest delay" to maintain reader engagement and convey the intended meaning effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "briefest delay" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "delay". It emphasizes the extremely short duration of the delay. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "briefest delay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a minimal amount of waiting time. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and appropriateness. While not a very common expression, it finds its place in news reporting and academic writing. When using "briefest delay", ensure it aligns with the context and consider varying your language with synonyms to avoid repetition. Its function is to underscore the efficiency and speed of an action or process.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal delay

Replaces "briefest" with "minimal", suggesting the delay is as small as possible.

shortest delay

Emphasizes the extremely short duration of the delay.

negligible delay

Indicates the delay is so small it's practically insignificant.

slightest pause

Substitutes "delay" with "pause", highlighting a momentary interruption.

momentary hesitation

Replaces "delay" with "hesitation", suggesting a short period of uncertainty or reluctance.

fleeting interruption

Emphasizes the short and quick nature of the interruption.

quickest respite

Uses "respite" instead of "delay", suggesting a very short period of relief or rest.

transient postponement

Replaces "delay" with "postponement", stressing the temporary nature of the delay.

instantaneous suspension

Highlights the near-instantaneous nature of the pause or suspension.

prompt intermission

Suggests a brief break or interval that is quickly implemented.

FAQs

How can I use "briefest delay" in a sentence?

You can use "briefest delay" to describe actions or processes that occur with minimal waiting time. For example: "She responded with the "briefest delay", eager to assist."

What are some alternatives to "briefest delay"?

Alternatives include phrases like "minimal delay", "shortest delay", or "negligible delay", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "briefest delay" grammatically correct?

Yes, "briefest delay" is grammatically correct. It uses the superlative form of the adjective "brief" to modify the noun "delay", indicating the shortest possible delay.

When is it appropriate to use "briefest delay" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "briefest delay" when you want to emphasize the efficiency or speed of a process, suggesting that there's virtually no waiting time involved.