cause further delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'cause further delay' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the potential of an action to cause something to take longer than it otherwise would. For example, "The rain caused further delay to the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Damage to the tracks themselves would cause further delay, he said.

The New York Times

He urged the judge not to quash the closures, in part because to do so would cause "further delay and further uncertainty" for library employees and their users.

The Guardian

"If there is a national opinion poll at the very least the government should make sure [same-sex marriage] doesn't have to return to parliament, which could cause further delay or subversion of the will of the people," he said.

The Guardian

In a letter to Mr. Lott, the academy's chairman, Joseph L. Sisco, and president, L. Bruce Laingen, expressed regret that the case "should cause further delay in providing the leadership needed in our missions in the Philippines and Slovakia in pursuing our interests in those two important countries".

The New York Times

It has been suggested predominantly through simulation in some theoretical studies as well as through few experimentations that under certain circumstances, an elevated vigour to escape may exacerbate the outflow and cause further delay although the experimental evidence is rather mixed.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Special attention should be paid to the potential use of folk medicines that could be harmful or cause further delay in contacting healthcare services.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It will cause further delays, wrangling and obstacles to the recognition of their land rights," she said.

The Guardian

[Page C2.] Interpublic Again Delays Results Interpublic, the advertising giant, said continuing problems with accounting would cause further delays in releasing its financial results.

The New York Times

The shutdown comes as the nation's air travelers brace for new security precautions that could cause further delays at the gate.

The New York Times

Airbus acknowledged that it had reinforced the rear fuselage of its superjumbo A380 after problems were detected but said the issue did not cause further delays in the plane's production timetable.

The New York Times

He would secure "guarantees" from Klaus that he would not cause further delays if European leaders, at a Brussels summit at the end of the month, agreed a formula which could allow Klaus to claim victory, without reopening the treaty.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project timelines or schedules, use "cause further delay" to clearly indicate the potential for increased lag time due to unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "cause further delay" may sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "slow things down" or "hold things up" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause further delay" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating the potential for an action or event to extend the duration of something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples show its utility in describing the impact of events on timelines.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cause further delay" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something has the potential to extend the duration of an event or process. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It's most commonly found in contexts such as news reporting and scientific publications. While generally neutral to professional in tone, it may be overly formal for casual conversation. Remember to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings and be mindful of the potential negative implications when discussing timelines. When accuracy, clarity, and a professional tone are needed, "cause further delay" is a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lead to further postponement

Directly implies that something will be delayed as a result.

generate more hold-ups

Indicates the creation of additional obstacles that cause delays.

result in increased deferment

Formally indicates that something will be put off to a later time.

exacerbate the lateness

Emphasizes making an existing delay even worse.

bring about additional setbacks

Highlights that further obstacles will occur.

protract the timeline

Highlights lengthening the intended schedule, often suggesting a formal process.

push back the deadline again

Specifically refers to moving a deadline to a later date.

extend the duration

Focuses on making something last longer, without explicitly stating a negative impact.

create more time loss

Stresses the negative effect of losing additional time.

add to the waiting time

Focuses on the increase in the duration of waiting.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cause further delay" to sound more formal?

In a formal context, consider using phrases like "result in increased deferment" or "protract the timeline" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's a simpler way to say "cause further delay" in casual conversation?

For casual conversations, you can use alternatives such as "slow things down", "hold things up", or "set us back".

Is it correct to say "caused further delay" instead of "cause further delay"?

Yes, "caused further delay" is the past tense form. Use "caused" when referring to a delay that has already occurred, whereas "cause" refers to a potential or ongoing situation.

What are some common situations where the phrase "cause further delay" is appropriately used?

This phrase is commonly used in project management, news reporting, and legal contexts to describe how certain events or actions might extend the duration of a process or activity.