certain to be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain to be delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing an event or situation that is expected to experience a delay. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, the flight is certain to be delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Parliamentary elections, a central part of the American-led effort to establish a stable democracy in Afghanistan, are nearly certain to be delayed once again, probably until next spring, Afghan and foreign officials said Thursday.

The New York Times

With that all-but certain to be delayed, taking part in the polls, which would cost about £110 million, could become a legal necessity both in UK and EU law.

The Times

Allen and his allies have little time to convince legislators and other civic leaders that their vision for neighborhood-sensitive development and storm protection in the Lower Ninth Ward makes more sense than a highway overpass almost certain to be delayed by court challenges.

The New Yorker

The passport still hadn't arrived in Portland, and due to the 4th of July weekend, it's arrival was almost certain to be delayed by at least a day.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

He also suffered from health problems at the time, meaning that certain development goals had to be delayed.

The Guardian - Tech

This change, called the climacteric, prob ably occurs when the acidity of the fruit falls to a certain point, and can be delayed by keeping the fruit in the presence of carbon dioxide.

Nature

Some smaller subdivisions of four lots or less that do not meet certain criteria may also be delayed.

The New York Times

Results from these experiments indicate that the excretion of certain anionic xenobiotics can be delayed by other anionic xenobiotics that compete for secretory transport sites and by compounds that disrupt cellular ion gradients and energy metabolism needed to drive transport.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Certain payments to schools would no longer be delayed, a major turning point after years of pink slips for teachers.

Los Angeles Times

Our victory is certain, but it can only be delayed".

The Guardian

MR. FERRER acknowledged that certain of his social goals might be delayed, but it was hard to figure out what that meant, since he talked so enthusiastically about all of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certain to be delayed" when you want to express a high degree of confidence that something will not happen on time. It conveys more assurance than 'likely to be delayed' but less than 'guaranteed to be delayed'.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "certain to be delayed" can sound less professional in very formal writing. Consider alternatives like "highly probable to be deferred" or "expected to be subject to rescheduling" for a more polished tone in business or academic reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain to be delayed" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a high degree of probability or certainty regarding a future event's postponement. Ludwig provides examples showcasing this usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certain to be delayed" is a grammatically sound and usable expression indicating a strong likelihood of postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across diverse contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it is advisable to consider slightly more formal alternatives like "highly probable to be deferred" in business or academic settings. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its common use in reporting expected delays. Use it to express a high degree of confidence that something will not happen on schedule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sure to be postponed

Replaces 'certain' with 'sure', offering a slightly less formal tone.

bound to be late

Substitutes 'certain' with 'bound', implying inevitability of lateness.

guaranteed to be pushed back

Uses 'guaranteed' to emphasize assurance of delay and replaces 'delayed' with 'pushed back'.

very likely to be rescheduled

Replaces 'certain' with 'very likely' and 'delayed' with 'rescheduled', softening the tone.

highly probable to be deferred

Employs 'highly probable' to convey likelihood and swaps 'delayed' with 'deferred', adding formality.

almost definitely going to be put off

Uses 'almost definitely' for near certainty and 'put off' as a colloquial substitute for 'delayed'.

unquestionably going to be held up

Replaces 'certain' with 'unquestionably' to indicate no doubt, and 'delayed' with 'held up'.

inevitably going to face delays

Highlights the unavoidable nature of the delays.

expected to be subject to rescheduling

Focuses on the expectation of needing to reschedule.

poised for postponement

Uses a more concise and formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "certain to be delayed" in a sentence?

Use "certain to be delayed" when expressing a strong expectation that an event or action will not occur on time. For example: "Due to the weather conditions, the flight is "certain to be delayed"."

What are some alternatives to "certain to be delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "sure to be postponed", "bound to be late", or "guaranteed to be pushed back" depending on the context.

Is "certain to be delayed" formal or informal?

"Certain to be delayed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options may be preferred in certain professional settings.

What does "certain to be delayed" imply?

The phrase "certain to be delayed" implies a high level of confidence or assurance that something will not happen on schedule, often due to known circumstances or reliable information.