delay delivery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay delivery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to postponing the arrival or transfer of goods or services. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must delay delivery of your order until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

As occurred with patient 1, a delayed diagnosis may also delay delivery of appropriate care for preventing severe or complicated illness (9, 10 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Does the staff member disturb the guest or delay delivery?

The New York Times

In the More Options area in the Outlook toolbar ribbon, click on the Delay Delivery icon.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, France decided to delay delivery of the Mistral warships it has built for Russia.

The Economist

Investigations into accusations of bribery can delay delivery of urgently needed kit for years.

The Economist

Airbus might also be helped by some airlines' opting to delay delivery of some planes into next year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

It would delay deliveries and increase costs for distributors and businesses over Christmas.

The Guardian

In Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific is also negotiating with Airbus and Boeing to delay deliveries, while pondering the renewal of expiring aircraft leases.

The New York Times

In the plan, United said that it would defer aircraft deliveries through 2005, and delay deliveries of some aircraft as late as 2009.

The New York Times

UK Mail said its network remained robust over the vital Christmas period, a time when rivals such as Yodel and Royal Mail were forced to delay deliveries.

The Guardian

Critics have argued for years that these restrictions raise prices, delay deliveries, damage developing countries' markets and do little to end dependence on foreign assistance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay delivery", be specific about the reason for the delay and the new estimated delivery timeframe to maintain transparency and manage expectations.

Common error

Don't assume the recipient understands why the "delay delivery" is happening. Always provide a clear, concise explanation to avoid confusion and maintain good communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay delivery" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It is used to describe the action of postponing or rescheduling the delivery of something, whether it's goods, services, or information. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay delivery" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of postponing the delivery of goods, services, or information. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide clear explanations for the delay and communicate the new estimated delivery timeframe. Alternatives like "postpone shipment" or "defer dispatch" can be used depending on the specific context. Common mistakes include failing to provide adequate explanations for the delay. Overall, "delay delivery" is a versatile and useful phrase for managing expectations and communicating changes in delivery schedules.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone shipment

This alternative focuses specifically on the postponement of goods being shipped.

put off handover

This alternative emphasizes postponing the act of handing something over.

defer dispatch

Using 'dispatch' provides a slightly more formal tone, implying a temporary hold on sending something out.

reschedule arrival

This focuses on changing the timing of when something arrives.

hold up supply

This implies an obstruction or hindrance that results in delayed provision.

slow down transit

This implies making the process of transporting something take longer.

suspend distribution

This suggests a temporary halt to the process of distributing something.

extend lead time

This refers to increasing the amount of time needed before something can be delivered.

stall conveyance

This phrase uses more formal terms ('stall' and 'conveyance') implying a temporary stop in the transport or transfer process.

impede transfer

This uses 'impede' for a stronger sense of obstruction in the process of transferring something.

FAQs

What does "delay delivery" mean?

The phrase "delay delivery" means to postpone or reschedule the arrival or transfer of goods, services, or information to a later time than originally planned.

What can I say instead of "delay delivery"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone shipment", "defer dispatch", or "reschedule arrival" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "delay delivery" or "delayed delivery"?

"Delay delivery" is a verb phrase indicating the act of postponing. "Delayed delivery" is an adjective phrase describing a delivery that has already been postponed. For example: "We will delay delivery" vs "There is a delayed delivery".

What circumstances might cause a company to "delay delivery"?

Companies might "delay delivery" due to unforeseen circumstances such as supply chain disruptions, production issues, transportation problems, or unexpected regulatory hurdles.