cause of the delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cause of the delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing reasons or factors that have led to a postponement or holdup in a process or event. Example: "The cause of the delay was due to unforeseen circumstances that affected the delivery schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The black-and-white images lining the walls are the cause of the delay.

The New York Times

The company said it would not speculate on the cause of the delay.

The New York Times

The real cause of the delay is hinted at in the extra piece of downloadable content.

The Guardian - Tech

It cited school districts' tight finances as the cause of the delay.

The New York Times

What will whittle down the numbers is the cause of the delay.

Independent

That now seemed to be the cause of the delay in fund-raising.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

The cause of the delays?

The New York Times

Some didn't know the cause of the delays.

The Washington Post

"The failure to do so at the weekend was the primary cause of the delays".

The Guardian

The city and police officials said they could not pinpoint the cause of the delays.

The New York Times

No doubt a large cause of the delays come from the reforms, costing money that local authorities do not have.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cause of the delay" in formal writing, ensure that the cause is clearly identified and supported by evidence or explanation.

Common error

Avoid stating the "cause of the delay" without providing sufficient details or evidence to support your claim. Always offer a clear and justifiable explanation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cause of the delay" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the reason or origin behind a postponement or holdup. Ludwig AI identifies that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cause of the delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the reason behind a postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and applicable in diverse contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and academic writing. The phrase aims to explain or clarify reasons behind delays. While generally neutral in register, writers should ensure they provide sufficient detail and evidence when citing the "cause of the delay" to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for the delay

Replaces "cause" with "reason", offering a direct synonym with little semantic shift.

the reason behind the delay

Uses "reason behind" instead of "cause of", offering a slightly more descriptive alternative.

source of the delay

Substitutes "cause" with "source", emphasizing the origin or starting point of the delay.

origin of the delay

Replaces "cause" with "origin", highlighting the initial point from which the delay arose.

primary reason for the delay

Adding "primary" indicates the most important reason from possible several ones.

factors contributing to the delay

Expands the phrase to include multiple factors, suggesting a more complex situation.

the delay's root cause

Highlights finding the fundamental reason, implying a deeper investigation.

what caused the delay

Transforms the phrase into a question, seeking to identify the cause.

major contributing factor to the delay

Specifies one of possibly several factors contributing to the situation.

circumstances leading to the delay

Changes the focus to the circumstances instead of a single cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "cause of the delay" to explain the reason behind a postponement. For instance, "The "cause of the delay" was an unexpected system failure."

What phrases are similar to "cause of the delay"?

Alternatives include "reason for the delay", "source of the delay", or "factors contributing to the delay".

Is it better to say "cause of delay" or "cause of the delay"?

Using "cause of the delay" is generally preferred as it refers to a specific instance. "Cause of delay" might be suitable in broader, less defined contexts.

What is the difference between "cause of the delay" and "consequence of the delay"?

"Cause of the delay" refers to what initiated the postponement, while "consequence of the delay" refers to the results or effects of that postponement.