contacting after a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contacting after a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of reaching out to someone after a period of time has passed. Example: "I apologize for contacting after a delay; I was dealing with some unexpected issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Participants were also contacted after reporting a fall, as far as possible in person but also by telephone when this was necessary to avoid delayed contact.

BMC Geriatrics

During the Spring of 1999, after a delay of approximately four months, the schools in Group 1 were contacted again, so that they could complete a follow-up (delayed) 'post-test'.

BMC Family Practice

In all strategies, a small stockpile of antiviral drugs was used for prophylaxis of case-patient contacts and treatment of clinical cases in an initial containment effort and, after a delay of 6 months, a matched vaccine was delivered.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The rate of target action completion after a delay remained consistent at both ages across different conditions of prior contact with test stimuli.

Infant Behavior and Development

After a delay, the Wildcats were told their game would be delayed.

The New York Times - Sports

After a delay, the sound wave reaches the men.

Huffington Post

After a delay, Before Midnight gives me that.

Huffington Post

Nine players were ejected after a delay of 19 minutes.

Los Angeles Times

Secondly, the lower peak-to-peak vertical velocity of CoMgl for the LAS group seemed to be mostly explained by a more constant velocity of the reaching limb after the foot contact and a delayed straightening up.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Contact dermatitis: a delayed Type IV hypersensitivity reaction consisting of an eczematous reaction starting 24 48 h after repeated skin or mucosal contact with additives used during rubber production.

Anaesthesia

Clevepak climbed 1 1/2 to 13 after a delayed opening.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contacting after a delay", specify the reason for the delay to provide context and clarity for the recipient.

Common error

Avoid assuming that the recipient knows why there was a delay in contact. Always briefly explain the reason to prevent confusion or negative assumptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contacting after a delay" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating the timing of an action (contacting) in relation to a prior event (a delay). It modifies a verb or noun, adding information about when the contacting occurred. Ludwig indicates grammatical correctness for this construct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contacting after a delay" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that communication is happening after a period of waiting. Ludwig's AI confirms its usability. While generally neutral in register, providing context around the delay is crucial for effective communication. Since there are no exact examples, it can be considered an uncommon way to phrase this concept. Alternatives like "following up after a waiting period" or "re-establishing contact after a break" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

re-establishing contact after a break

Focuses on resuming contact that was previously interrupted.

following up after a waiting period

Suggests that there was previous contact and now this is a follow-up.

reaching out following a waiting period

Emphasizes the act of reaching out and uses a more formal term for 'delay'.

initiating contact after a pause

Highlights the start of communication after a temporary stop.

getting in touch after a postponement

Replaces 'contacting' with 'getting in touch' and 'delay' with 'postponement', making it slightly more formal.

making contact after an interval

Replaces 'delay' with 'interval' for a more neutral tone.

following up after some time has passed

More informal and less specific about the nature of the delay.

communication following a lapse in time

Uses a more abstract and formal way to describe both the action and the delay.

establishing contact after a hiatus

Similar to QUERY. It uses more formal term for "contacting" and "delay".

connecting after a period of inactivity

Emphasizes the lack of activity during the delay and uses a more general term for 'contacting'.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "contacting after a delay" to sound more professional?

For a more professional tone, consider using phrases like "following up after a waiting period" or "re-establishing contact after a break", depending on the context.

Is it better to explain the reason for the delay when "contacting after a delay"?

Yes, providing a brief explanation for the delay when "contacting after a delay" is crucial for maintaining transparency and preventing misunderstandings. This shows respect for the other party's time and expectations.

What's the difference between "contacting after a delay" and "following up"?

"Contacting after a delay" generally implies an initial outreach or a resumption of contact after a period of inactivity. "Following up" suggests a continuation of a previous conversation or action, emphasizing persistence or confirmation.

When is it appropriate to use "contacting after a delay" in formal communication?

It is appropriate to use "contacting after a delay" in formal communication when acknowledging a lapse in communication due to unforeseen circumstances or prior commitments. Ensure the explanation for the delay is concise and professional.