continual delay

USAGE SUMMARY

'continual delay' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use 'continual delay' to describe a situation where something is regularly being delayed or postponed, such as a project or payment. Example: "We have experienced continual delays in the completion of this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Band sighs: "Should've been sooner... There's been continual delay".

The Guardian

When he was Missouri attorney general in the 1980's, a federal judge threatened to hold him and his state in contempt for their "continual delay and failure to comply" with a landmark voluntary desegregation plan in St . Louis according to a Washington Post report in January 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the continual delays have cast a cloud over the project.

The New York Times

On top of which continual delays – which the FMT department blame on changing user requirements, but which the BBC blames on technology supply and assurance issues – were bound to undermine confidence in DMI.

The Guardian

The proposed scheme in Somerset to build two reactors capable of providing 7% of Britain's total electricity needs has also been hit by continual delays due to concerns inside EDF about the financial burden to an already heavily indebted energy company.

The Guardian

The proposed scheme in Somerset to build two reactors capable of providing 7% of Britain's total electricity needs has been hit by continual delays due to concerns inside EDF about the financial burden to the already heavily indebted energy company.

The Guardian

Afghanistan simply cannot afford the posturing and continual delays.

BBC

The continual delays in decision-making have made it difficult for the Laudes' lawyers to prepare their case.

Vice

Since he was charged with Savio's murder, the Peterson trial has faced continual delays and the case has even reached the Illinois Supreme Court.

Huffington Post

After continual delays and inconsistencies, community members involved in the Coalition to Revitalize Dyett High School were skeptical the board would ever make a decision.

Huffington Post

The continual delays inspired a group of StarCraft fans on the official forums who labeled themselves "Operation: Can't Wait Any Longer" to write a series of fictional stories in which the members of Operation CWAL attempted to retrieve the beta version of StarCraft from Blizzard's headquarters in Irvine, California.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continual delay", ensure it accurately reflects a series of repeated delays rather than a single, prolonged one. For instance, "The project suffered continual delays due to weather" implies multiple instances of weather-related setbacks.

Common error

Avoid using "continual delay" when "continuous delay" is more appropriate. "Continual" implies a series of separate delays with intervals, while "continuous" suggests an uninterrupted period of delay. Choose the word that best reflects the nature of the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continual delay" functions as a noun phrase typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It describes a state or situation characterized by recurring interruptions or postponements. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continual delay" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe recurring instances of postponements or interruptions. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's essential to differentiate it from "continuous delay", which denotes an uninterrupted period of delay. This phrase appears most frequently in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts. To ensure precise writing, remember that "continual" signifies repeated instances with intervals, unlike "continuous", which implies an unbroken duration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persistent delay

Emphasizes the unyielding nature of the delay.

ongoing delay

Highlights the continuous nature of the delay.

constant postponement

Replaces 'delay' with 'postponement' to convey a similar meaning.

repeated delay

Focuses on the multiple occurrences of delays.

incessant holdup

Uses 'holdup' to describe the obstruction causing the delay and 'incessant' to emphasize the interruption

ceaseless deferral

Replaces 'delay' with 'deferral' to convey a similar meaning.

never-ending delay

Stresses that the delay seems to have no end in sight.

perpetual deferment

Uses more formal synonyms to express the continuing postponement.

chronic tardiness

Shifts the focus to consistent lateness as the cause.

habitual lateness

Indicates a usual pattern of being late or delayed.

FAQs

What does "continual delay" mean?

"Continual delay" refers to a situation characterized by repeated instances of something being postponed or delayed, implying that delays occur frequently but not necessarily without interruption.

What are some synonyms for "continual delay"?

Alternatives to "continual delay" include phrases like "persistent delay", "ongoing delay", or "repeated delay", which all suggest recurring instances of postponement.

Is it correct to use "continual" or "continuous" with "delay"?

Both "continual" and "continuous" can be used with "delay", but they have slightly different meanings. "Continual delay" implies recurring delays with interruptions, whereas "continuous delay" suggests a single, unbroken period of delay.

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

You might say, "The construction project faced "continual delay" due to unforeseen circumstances", indicating that the project was repeatedly postponed because of unexpected events.