chronically delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

"chronically delayed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is consistently or repeatedly late over a long period. An example is: "The project has been chronically delayed due to funding issues." Alternative expressions include "perpetually late" and "consistently behind schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

For flights that are chronically delayed, there would be mandatory disclosure of on-time statistics by fax or telephone.

The New York Times

Lack of spare airplanes and over scheduling are the biggest reasons for chronically delayed flights, not labor disputes or equipment failures or air traffic control or weather.

The New York Times

Flight 1659 is the most chronically delayed of all flights on a full-size jet operated by a major domestic airline.

The New York Times

Online agencies, travel management companies, individual airlines and other brokers, including the chronically delayed but soon-to-be-started Orbitz site, are battling for market share.

The New York Times

The inspector general, Kenneth M. Mead, suggested in an interview that the airlines' reservationists tell passengers when they were booking a flight that it was chronically delayed.

The New York Times

One of the goals of her organization is a requirement that airlines disclose, when a ticket is bought, whether the planned flight is chronically delayed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

This week, a federal judge ruled that the city "chronically and systematically" delayed and terminated benefits to thousands of people with AIDS, and he opened a new avenue of redress, placing the city's AIDS agency under federal authority for three years.

The New York Times

The judge, Sterling Johnson Jr. of the Federal District Court, said the agency had "chronically and systematically" delayed or stopped subsistence benefits, including emergency housing, rent assistance, food stamps, Medicaid and other services that it administers for about 25,000 New Yorkers who have AIDS or are H.I.V.-positive.

The New York Times

The judge, Sterling Johnson Jr. of Federal District Court, ruled that the agency, the Division of AIDS Services and Income Support, had "chronically and systematically" delayed or terminated subsistence benefits, including emergency housing, rent assistance, food stamps, Medicaid and other services, that it administers for about 25,000 New Yorkers who have AIDS or are H.I.V.-positive.

The New York Times

Much-needed reforms in the labor market — to counteract inflated wages and chronically high unemployment — were delayed because of political shortsightedness and self-congratulation over the "Spanish miracle," not just in Spain but also in Europe and abroad.

The New York Times

ES also increased chronically axotomized neurons regenerating into chronically denervated stumps, which represent a true delayed repair.

Experimental Neurology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical or medical writing, this phrase is ideal for describing physiological processes or symptoms that fail to progress at a normal rate over a long period.

Common error

Do not use "chronically delayed" to describe a single flight that is five hours late. Use it only when that specific flight number or route is late multiple times over several weeks or months. For a one-time long delay, use "severely delayed" or "extensively delayed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chronically delayed" consists of the adverb "chronically" modifying the past participle "delayed". In the examples provided by Ludwig, it functions primarily as an adjective phrase that characterizes nouns related to logistics (flights, projects) or biology (healing, growth).

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Informal

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chronically delayed" is a robust and grammatically standard way to describe something that is repeatedly late over a significant period. According to Ludwig AI data, it is most frequently used in the context of transportation, government projects and medical recovery. The use of the adverb "chronically" elevates the description from a simple observation of lateness to a critique of a persistent, systemic failure. Whether you are reporting on a flight route that never meets its schedule or a biological process that is stalled, this phrase effectively conveys a sense of recurring frustration and deep-seated issues. It is a highly recommended choice for formal writing where precision regarding frequency is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consistently behind schedule

A more formal, business-oriented way to describe a pattern of delays

perpetually late

Suggests a more permanent, almost unending state of tardiness

systematically delayed

Suggests the delay is built into the process or system itself

habitually postponed

Focuses on the repetitive action of pushing back events or deadlines

persistently stalled

Implies that the delay is due to active obstacles that keep recurring

chronic lateness

The noun form of the concept, used to describe the condition itself

continually deferred

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of pushing something into the future

prolonged delay

Focuses on the length of the delay rather than its frequency

recurrently hindered

Suggests that progress is being stopped repeatedly by external factors

regularly tardy

A simpler way to express frequency, often applied to individuals or predictable events

FAQs

How do I use "chronically delayed" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe systemic issues, such as: "The new subway line has been "chronically delayed" by budget shortfalls and labor strikes."

What is the difference between "chronically delayed" and "systematically delayed"?

While both imply frequency, "chronically delayed" often suggests a long-term duration or a condition that is hard to cure, whereas "systematically delayed" implies the delay is an inherent part of the structure or process.

Can I use "chronically delayed" for people?

It is more common to use "chronically late" when referring to a person's habits. "Chronically delayed" is typically reserved for projects, flights, healing processes or administrative benefits.

Is "chronically delayed" formal enough for a business report?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal contexts. Alternatives like "consistently behind schedule" or "persistently stalled" are also excellent professional choices.