delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a delay in schedule, wait, or time. For example, "Unfortunately, there was a delay in our arrival due to traffic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This change has been implemented by CCGs and creates unnecessary delay, as the patient is going back and forth between GP and hospital.

The Guardian

US military strikes will only embolden them to delay further.

The Guardian - Opinion

With about 30 minutes to go before Hill was injected with a fatal dose of the sedative pentobarbital, two separate courts stepped in to impose a temporary delay in the proceedings.

The Guardian

A spokeswoman for Ofsted said the delay was the result of a round of redundancies at Ofsted.

The Guardian

In the end, two separate courts – the Georgia court of appeals and the federal appeals court – stepped in and ordered a delay of execution.

The Guardian

His report is now at least five years later than anyone imagined possible and as he meandered on – "It's been very difficult" – it gradually dawned on the committee that part of the delay was down to Chilcot's inability to use one word when several thousand would do.

The Guardian

With the entire city choked by building work, the kingdom has taken the unusual step of urging pilgrims to delay their visit, and numbers are down 20% this year as a result of reduced visa quotas.

The Guardian - Arts

Jake Molloy, oil and gas organiser for the RMT union, said oil and gas companies had already started to make hundreds of redundancies, delay projects and scrap drilling contracts.

The Guardian - Business

Related: Ukraine pro-Russia forces seize strategic Debaltseve railway hub despite truce Vladimir Putin sought to delay the ceasefire by 10 days because he wanted to give separatists time to capture the town, an EU summit was told last week.

The Guardian

The prospect of the laws being overturned has prompted defence lawyers to seek to delay trials involving defendants who may have already spent months in solitary confinement under harsh prison conditions formerly reserved for accused bikie associates.

The Guardian

Plaid Cymru's Westminister leader, Elfyn Llwyd, said he was "very, very concerned about the inordinate delay" and it should be published when it is ready, as long as parliament is sitting, regardless of the election.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay", be specific about the cause and duration of the delay to provide clarity to your audience. For example, instead of saying "There was a delay", specify "The flight experienced a two-hour delay due to inclement weather".

Common error

Avoid simply stating that there is a "delay" without explaining its impact or cause. Providing details helps your audience understand the significance and potential consequences of the delay.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "delay" is as a noun, referring to a period of time when something is postponed or slowed. It can also function as a verb, meaning to postpone or slow down. Ludwig AI confirms this dual function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delay" functions primarily as a noun or a verb to indicate a postponement or slowdown. Its usage is very common, with examples drawn heavily from News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of communication purposes. While the word itself is clear, providing context is essential to make its impact and cause easily understood. Alternatives such as "postponement" or "hold up" can offer nuanced meanings. When using "delay", clarity is crucial to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponement

Emphasizes the act of putting something off to a later time.

hold-up

Suggests a more abrupt or forceful interruption causing a delay.

time lag

Refers specifically to the interval between two related events.

deferral

Implies a formal or official postponement.

moratorium

Indicates a temporary prohibition of an activity.

reprieve

Suggests a temporary relief from something unpleasant or burdensome.

hiatus

Refers to a pause or gap in a sequence or process.

intermission

Implies a break or pause in an event or performance.

recess

Suggests a formal break or adjournment.

cessation

Indicates a complete stop or termination.

FAQs

How can I use "delay" in a sentence?

You can use "delay" as a noun to refer to a period of waiting or as a verb to mean postpone. For example: "The project faced a significant delay" or "We had to delay the meeting until next week".

What's the difference between "delay" and "postponement"?

"Delay" generally refers to an unexpected or temporary hold-up, while "postponement" implies a deliberate rescheduling to a later time. A "delay" might be caused by unforeseen circumstances, whereas a "postponement" is a planned action.

What are some alternatives to using the word "delay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "hold up", "time lag", or "postponement" to convey the meaning of "delay".

Which is correct, "a delay in" or "a delay of"?

Both "a delay in" and "a delay of" can be correct depending on the context. "A delay in" is often used to refer to a delay affecting something, while "a delay of" refers to the duration of the delay. For example: "a delay in the project" versus "a delay of two hours".