certain delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific but not precisely defined delay in a process or timeline. Example: "Due to a certain delay in the shipment, we will not be able to meet the original deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, a certain delay can be given according to law to sell these assets.

The New York Times

Mr. Shah said that shares of ImClone could fall sharply today because of the almost certain delay for its lead drug but that Bristol-Myers' sell-off would be tempered by the fact it already sells an array of highly profitable medicines.

The New York Times

Eventual consistency guarantees that all updates will reach all replicas after a certain delay.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

When it receives the signal, it transmits in return after a certain delay δ j.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

– a certain delay, more evident for humidity data, for indoor changes with respect to outdoor changes.

Chemistry Central Journal

The signal emitted by the source is received by both receivers with certain delay lags.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

After a certain delay time, the turbulent dust cloud is ignited by a 40 J chemical igniter.

Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries

If certain delay is tolerant, partially connected routing can achieve successful packet forwarding in networks with the deficiency of connectivity.

The Journal of China Universities of Posts and Telecommunications

When surfing the web, users appreciate fast page loads, but also tolerate a certain delay [12, 13].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Additionally, the relative position of each crystal from the center of a PMT will introduce a certain delay.

EJNMMI Physics

cancelsignal immediately turns the signals to red but only releases the points and routes when a certain delay has elapsed.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "certain delay", consider clarifying the context or reason for the delay if possible to provide more informative communication.

Common error

Avoid using "certain delay" as a vague placeholder. If you can provide more specific information about the nature or cause of the delay, it will enhance clarity and prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain delay" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "certain" modifies the noun "delay". As shown in Ludwig, it is used to describe a delay without specifying its exact nature or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain delay" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a delay, as validated by Ludwig. It indicates the presence of a delay without providing specific details. As shown by Ludwig examples, its usage spans various contexts, from scientific research to news reports, but mainly in scientific texts. While versatile, avoid overuse without context and consider providing more specific information when possible. Alternatives such as "specific delay" or "unspecified delay" may offer more clarity depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific delay

Replaces "certain" with a more direct adjective, implying a particular delay is being referenced.

particular delay

Similar to "specific delay", emphasizing the distinct nature of the delay.

unspecified delay

Indicates that the exact duration or nature of the delay is not known.

undetermined delay

Highlights the lack of a defined endpoint for the delay.

some delay

A more general term, implying a delay exists without specifying its details.

noticeable delay

Focuses on the perceptibility or impact of the delay.

slight delay

Indicates the delay is of a short duration or minor consequence.

unavoidable delay

Suggests the delay was impossible to prevent.

inevitable delay

Similar to "unavoidable delay", highlighting the certainty of the delay's occurrence.

expected delay

Implicates that the delay was foreseen or predicted.

FAQs

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

You can use "certain delay" to indicate that there is a delay, but the exact duration or reason may not be specified. For example: "Due to a "certain delay" in the shipment, we are unable to fulfill your order on time."

What can I say instead of "certain delay"?

You can use alternatives like "specific delay", "particular delay", or "unspecified delay" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "certain delay" or "specific delay"?

Both "certain delay" and "specific delay" are acceptable, but "specific delay" may provide more clarity and directness in your writing.

When should I avoid using the phrase "certain delay"?

Avoid using "certain delay" when you have precise information about the length or cause of the delay. In such cases, providing the specific details is more helpful and informative.