cause a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing how an event, action, or situation causes something else to be delayed, or to take longer to finish or complete. For example: "The heavy rain caused a delay in our departure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After all, I might cause a delay.

The New York Times

Their presence could cause a delay in the march-past.

The Guardian

Failure to provide appropriate and complete documentation may cause a delay in your payments.

The Guardian

"In most cases they just complicate the wound and cause a delay in getting treatment.

The New York Times

It is possible to cause a delay, but even that would only be for a limited period of time".

The New York Times - Magazine

It is unclear if the litigation will cause a delay in the law, which is set to go into effect in August.

The New York Times

NASA has decided to replace leaky hydraulic seals aboard the space shuttle Discovery, which might cause a delay in a launching planned for Oct. 23.

The New York Times

As with normal match-day security procedures, all bags will be searched, which may cause a delay in entering the stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

"The weather is looking promising," she said, but added that if technical issues cause a delay, conditions will worsen over the next two days.

The New York Times - Science

But Labour sources have suggested that this would not rule out the party's peers backing clauses that would oblige May to report back to parliament regularly on her progress, for example – something that need not cause a delay.

The Guardian

If the current difficulties cause a delay in tight schedules for the introduction of new computer models and the construction of factories, multinational companies may seek additional sources of supply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause a delay", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being delayed and what is causing the delay. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "cause a delay" without specifying the subject being affected. For instance, instead of saying "the issue caused a delay", specify what was delayed: "The technical issue caused a delay in the project timeline."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause a delay" functions as a causative expression, indicating that something brings about a postponement or slowing down of an event or process. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from technical issues to weather events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

45%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause a delay" is a versatile and commonly used expression that describes how something leads to a postponement or slowing down of an event. Grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig, it's important to ensure clear causation when employing this phrase. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in news, science, and general discussions, making it a valuable part of everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Lead to a delay

This phrase focuses on the consequence of an action resulting in a delay.

Result in a delay

This indicates that a delay is the outcome or effect of something.

Trigger a delay

This alternative highlights the act of initiating or setting off a delay.

Incur a delay

This alternative suggests experiencing a delay as a consequence of something, similar to initiating it.

Generate a delay

This option suggests the active creation or production of a delay.

Impose a delay

This highlights the act of enforcing or placing a delay upon something.

Pose a delay

This alternative emphasizes that something presents or introduces a delay.

Prompt a hold-up

This alternative stresses the sudden interruption or obstruction that causes a delay.

Create a setback

This alternative emphasizes the obstructive aspect of causing a temporary halt or slowing down progress.

Produce a slowdown

This emphasizes a reduction in speed or progress rather than a complete halt.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause a delay" to describe something that postpones or slows down an event or process. For example, "The unexpected storm "caused a delay" in the flight departures."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "cause a delay"?

Alternatives include "lead to a delay", "trigger a delay", or "result in a delay". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "cause a delay" or "caused a delay"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Cause a delay" is used in general statements or hypothetical situations. "Caused a delay" is used when referring to a specific event in the past.

What's the difference between "cause a delay" and "incur a delay"?

"Cause a delay" means to be the reason something is delayed, while "incur a delay" means to experience or suffer a delay as a result of something else.