delay to be expected

USAGE SUMMARY

"delay to be expected" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a situation where an outcome is not expected to happen within a certain period of time or where something may have an unexpected delay. For example: "Due to a mechanical issue, a delay to be expected in our departure time of two hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ward and others [ 12] suggests that this interpretation should depend on the local health services and the local epidemiological situation, with a shorter delay to be expected when incidence is high.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The children with Down syndrome almost always draw attention to the delays to be expected in their speech and language development.

BioMed Research International

But in a big developing country of 110m people, "some delays were to be expected," he said.The critics, of course, enjoy perfect hindsight.

The Economist

Some residents said the noise, the crush of out-of-towners and the resulting delays were to be expected in one of Manhattan's most famous neighborhoods.

The New York Times

Eurostar said that services were being held up while local authorities investigated the incident and later said that two-hour delays were to be expected, while at least one service was cancelled.

The Guardian - Business

If it's a technical error on SpaceX's part, longer delays are to be expected.

TechCrunch

"Severe delays" in felony cases were to be expected, he wrote later in a ruling in the Hooks case.

The New York Times

Low-frequency variations and delayed effects from climate are to be expected [ 15, 19, 21, 31].

BMC Biology

In general, the overall transmission delay can be expected to exceed 100 ms and therefore it is not practical to implement FEC-interleaving schemes for delay-critical data.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As presenting stage affects overall survival, this delay will be expected to impact on patient outcome, and this is reflected in our survival data.

British Journal of Cancer

Some delay may be expected.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay to be expected", provide context about the reason for the delay and its potential duration to manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "delay to be expected" without providing any context. For example, instead of simply stating "a delay to be expected", explain the reason for the delay, such as "Due to unforeseen circumstances, a delay to be expected in processing your application".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay to be expected" primarily functions as a means of informing or preparing an audience for a potential postponement. It sets an expectation that an event or process will not occur on schedule. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delay to be expected" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a potential postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and provides examples from diverse sources, including news, science, and business. While not exceedingly common, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context about the cause and potential duration of the delay, as this helps to set clear expectations. While alternatives exist, they often carry subtle differences in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponement is anticipated

Focuses on the anticipation of a postponement, rather than directly addressing the delay itself.

a delay is foreseen

Emphasizes foresight regarding the delay, using a more formal tone.

extended wait is anticipated

Highlights the waiting period and anticipates it will be lengthy.

some waiting is foreseeable

Indicates that some amount of waiting can be reasonably predicted.

a hold-up is anticipated

Uses "hold-up" as a synonym for delay, suggesting a potential obstruction.

retardation is predicted

A more formal and technical term, suggesting a slowing down or impeding.

a setback is anticipated

Frames the delay as a setback, highlighting a negative impact.

protraction is foreseeable

Emphasizes the lengthening of a process or event.

expect a slowing down

This phrase is more informal and directly points to the fact that something will not happen quickly.

impending delay is probable

Highlights the likelihood of an upcoming delay.

FAQs

How can I use "delay to be expected" in a sentence?

You can use "delay to be expected" to indicate a predicted postponement or waiting period. For instance, "Due to the storm, a "delay to be expected" in flight arrivals".

What are some alternatives to saying "delay to be expected"?

Alternatives include "postponement is anticipated", "a delay is foreseen", or "expect a slowing down", depending on the context.

Is "delay to be expected" formal or informal?

"Delay to be expected" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both professional and general communication. However, it may be perceived as slightly formal compared to more conversational alternatives.

What is the best way to provide context when using "delay to be expected"?

Always include the reason for the delay and its potential impact. For example, "Due to a technical issue, a "delay to be expected" in the system update, affecting all users".