contributed to the delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"contributed to the delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has caused a delay or hindered progress. For example: "The heavy snowfall this winter contributed to the delay of the construction project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Political leaders contributed to the delay.

The New York Times - Health

The ruling contributed to the delay in bringing the budget resolution to a vote last week.

The New York Times

What about technical problems that supposedly contributed to the delay in the opening?

The New York Times

The tardiness of that claim, and the secrecy of the Israeli investigation, contributed to the delay in identifying Ms. Idris.

The New York Times

Politics at home might also have contributed to the delay, especially with respect to trade in textiles.

The New York Times

The authority's capital construction president, Michael F. Horodniceanu, described several factors that he said had contributed to the delay.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Mr. Toscano said Mirage also contributed to the delays by revising its design plans twice.

The New York Times

Ms. Menin said tension between the Pataki and Bloomberg administrations also contributed to the delays.

The New York Times

Haiti's own political turmoil and financial difficulties also contributed to the delays, the report acknowledged.

The New York Times

More rigorous security vetting protocols put in place after the Sept. 11 attacks have also contributed to the delays.

The New York Times

John Ziegler, director of real estate development, said harsh winter conditions that slowed construction, and the resolution of "general code issues," contributed to the delays.

Princeton University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contributed to the delay", ensure you clearly identify the specific factor that played a role in causing the delay to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contributed to the delay" without specifying what exactly contributed. Ambiguous statements weaken the impact and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contributed to the delay" functions as a causal connector, indicating that a particular factor had an influence on or was partially responsible for a delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contributed to the delay" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that serves to indicate a factor that played a role in causing a delay. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's suitable for use across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The analysis reveals that specifying the contributing factor is crucial for clarity. While alternatives like "led to the postponement" and "played a role in the hold-up" exist, the choice depends on the intended nuance and degree of impact. When writing, ensure you clearly attribute the cause to avoid ambiguity and strengthen your explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

led to the postponement

Implies a more direct causal relationship resulting in a definite rescheduling.

played a role in the hold-up

Suggests involvement or influence without necessarily being the sole cause of the delay.

was a factor in the deferral

Highlights a contributing element among other potential influences.

added to the holdup

Emphasizes an additive effect, increasing the duration of the delay.

influenced the slowing down

Indicates a more indirect effect, suggesting a reduction in speed rather than a complete stop.

had a hand in the deferment

Suggests a deliberate or planned postponement where someone had an influence.

was partly responsible for the setback

Attributes some accountability for the delay, implying a negative consequence.

affected the timing

Broadly indicates that the schedule was altered, without specifying the nature of the effect.

had an impact on the lateness

Focuses on the result of being late and implies that it has influence on it.

exerted influence on the rescheduling

Highlights the act of applying influence, suggesting a degree of control over the change in schedule.

FAQs

How can I use "contributed to the delay" in a sentence?

You can use "contributed to the delay" to indicate that something was a factor in causing a delay. For example: "The heavy rain "contributed to the delay" in the construction project."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "contributed to the delay"?

Some alternatives include "led to the postponement", "played a role in the hold-up", or "was a factor in the deferral" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "contributed to the delay" or "caused the delay"?

The choice depends on the degree of impact. "Caused the delay" implies a direct and primary cause, while "contributed to the delay" suggests a contributing factor among potentially multiple causes.

What is the difference between "contributed to the delays" and "contributed to the delay"?

"Contributed to the delay" refers to a single, specific delay. "Contributed to the delays" indicates involvement in multiple separate instances of delays.