delay of two hours

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay of two hours" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where something is postponed or takes longer than expected, specifically by two hours. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be a delay of two hours in the flight schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The game was called after a delay of two hours, 14 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

WIMBLEDON, England — After the rain here abated Friday afternoon, play resumed on the outer courts at Wimbledon around 1 30 p.m., a delay of two hours.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

An EU rule – the Denied Boarding Regulation – provides for free refreshments and accommodation in the event of cancellations or delays of two hours or more.

Independent

While the other terminals at the airport remained open, allowing some arrivals and departures to continue, the partial closure caused delays of two hours or more for many passengers and shorter delays for almost everyone coming and going this morning.

The New York Times

For many, it is a long journey by car that includes multiple searches at Mexican police roadblocks, followed by a huge traffic jam at the border crossing in Nogales, where delays of two hours or longer to enter the United States are common.

The New York Times

Martin Wragg was finally awarded around €1,700 £1,4000) this month after his family faced a delay of three hours and 20 minutes on their return from San Javier, Spain, in October 2012.

The Guardian - Money

In a study published online on Monday in The Canadian Medical Association Journal, the scientists defined late arrival as a delay of six hours or more from the onset of pain to the beginning of treatment.

The New York Times - Health

Following the morning storms that caused a delay of three hours and 14 minutes, someone with a childish sense of humour floated a yellow bath duck in the lake that filled the hollow.

Independent

For the 2,800km flight from Las Palmas to Cardiff, a delay of three hours triggers the airline's responsibility to feed you and, if necessary, provide overnight accommodation until it can get you home.

Independent

The findings showed that patients whose discharge did not involve the liaison nurse were 2.5 times more likely to experience a delay of four hours or longer when compared to patients whose discharge involved the liaison nurse.

BioMed Research International

The game has been suspended after a delay of one hour and 17 minutes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting delays, be specific about the cause if known (e.g., "delay of two hours due to weather") for greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "delay of two hours" without specifying what is being delayed. Always provide context (e.g., "flight delay of two hours").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay of two hours" functions primarily as a noun phrase specifying the duration of a delay. Ludwig indicates that this expression is typically used to describe interruptions or postponements. It modifies nouns, providing detail about the length of the delay.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay of two hours" is a grammatically sound expression used to specify the length of a delay. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to inform or report the duration of an interruption or postponement. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. While "delay of two hours" is correct, the alternative "two-hour delay" often appears more concise. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to clarify what is being delayed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

two-hour delay

Changes the phrase structure to an adjectival form.

two hours' postponement

Uses 'postponement' instead of 'delay', indicating a formal rescheduling.

two-hour setback

Emphasizes the negative impact or hindrance caused.

hold-up of two hours

Implies an interruption or obstruction causing the delay.

rescheduling by two hours

Focuses on the act of rescheduling rather than the delay itself.

a two-hour wait

Highlights the waiting period experienced due to the delay.

interruption lasting two hours

Emphasizes the continuous nature and duration of the disruption.

postponement for a couple of hours

Uses a more casual term, "couple of hours", to indicate the duration.

hiatus of two hours

Indicates a temporary cessation or pause in activity.

suspension lasting two hours

Implies a temporary removal or cessation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "delay of two hours" in a sentence?

You might say, "There was a "delay of two hours" on our train this morning" or "The game experienced a "delay of two hours" due to rain".

What are some alternatives to "delay of two hours"?

Consider using alternatives like "two-hour delay", "two hours' postponement", or "two-hour setback" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "delay of two hours" or "two-hour delay"?

Both are correct, but "two-hour delay" is more concise and frequently used as an adjectival phrase.

Which prepositions can I use with "delay of two hours"?

You can use prepositions like "due to" (e.g., "delay of two hours due to weather") or "because of" (e.g., "delay of two hours because of traffic").