delay was due to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay was due to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to explain the reason for a delay in various contexts, such as project management, travel, or communication. Example: "The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances that affected our schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wonga said the delay was due to production schedules.

The Guardian - Business

The delay was due to confusion about the timing of a rescheduled hearing.

The New York Times

The delay was due to a technical hitch, she explained, swearily.

Independent

Premier said the long delay was due to staff turnover and Masimo's slow response to information requests.

The New York Times

After the meeting, the association said in a statement that the delay was due to "the complexity of the issues".

The New York Times

(The delay was due to, yes, "a wardrobe malfunction" backstage, according to an overheard conversation between two security guards).

The New York Times

Mr Barak had told the Palestinian leader that the delay was due to "domestic constraints" within his coalition.

The Economist

When Capello belatedly joins the celebrations in Italy, he can take pride in explaining that the delay was due to defeating the world champions.

The Guardian - Sport

The government insisted the delay was due to concerns over hitches with all postal balloting in the regions following the June local and European elections.

The Guardian

A defence spokesman explained to the Guardian that the delay was due to the complexity of marshalling multiple government departments for a single response.

The Guardian

On one occasion, he claimed the delay was due to be being pulled over by police for speeding while en route to work.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay was due to", ensure the reason provided is specific and clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances", specify the circumstances, such as "The delay was due to a sudden technical malfunction".

Common error

Avoid using overly generic explanations after "delay was due to". Provide concrete reasons rather than broad statements to ensure clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay was due to" functions as a causal connector, linking a delay to its cause or reason. This phrase explains why something was postponed or happened later than expected. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay was due to" serves as a common and grammatically sound method for explaining the reasons behind a postponement or holdup. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. While alternatives like "the delay resulted from" or "the delay stemmed from" exist, "delay was due to" remains a frequently used and understood expression. Providing clear and specific reasons following this phrase is crucial to avoid ambiguity. Its prevalence across multiple authoritative sources underscores its broad acceptance and utility in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the delay stemmed from

Replaces "was due to" with "stemmed from", indicating the origin or source of the delay.

the delay resulted from

Substitutes "was due to" with "resulted from", emphasizing the consequence of a particular cause.

the reason for the delay was

Rephrases the sentence to explicitly state the reason using a more direct construction.

the delay can be attributed to

Uses "can be attributed to" instead of "was due to", suggesting a cause or origin.

the delay is a consequence of

Changes the phrasing to "is a consequence of", highlighting the result of a specific action or event.

the cause of the delay was

Emphasizes the cause of the delay rather than stating the delay's dependence.

the delay arose from

Uses "arose from" to indicate the origin or beginning of the delay.

the delay happened because of

Replaces "was due to" with "happened because of", providing a more straightforward explanation.

the delay is explained by

Offers "is explained by" as an alternative, focusing on the explanation for the delay.

the delay is on account of

Utilizes "is on account of" to denote the reason or basis for the delay.

FAQs

What does "delay was due to" mean?

The phrase "delay was due to" indicates the cause or reason for a postponement or holdup. It's used to explain what led to something being later than expected.

What can I say instead of "delay was due to"?

You can use alternatives like "the delay stemmed from", "the delay resulted from", or "the reason for the delay was" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the delay was because of" instead of "delay was due to"?

While "delay was because of" is commonly used, "delay was due to" is often considered more formal and grammatically precise. Both are generally acceptable in modern English, but choose based on your audience and the desired tone.

How do I use "delay was due to" in a sentence?

Use "delay was due to" to connect the postponement with its cause. For example, "The project's delay was due to unexpected technical difficulties", meaning the project was delayed because of technical issues.