delayed a thing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delayed a thing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express that something has been postponed or held up, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The project was delayed a thing due to unforeseen circumstances."

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sir David also denied that the project was slipping behind schedule: "We haven't stopped anything and haven't delayed a thing".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The release was delayed a bit, and things turned out to be a bit differently than advertised.

TechCrunch

The fact that things are delayed a bit doesn't mean a thing because Charlie came up all the way from Maiden Lane to take a walk with her.

The New Yorker

For one thing, it was delayed a night.

The New Yorker

The Payments Council, the independent body that has spearheaded the initiative, promises that switching will become "reliable and hassle-free" and make tales of month-long delays a thing of the past.

The Guardian - Money

Some otherworldly future inquisitor, most likely a pearly-gates sentinel with the head of a piglet or a calf, would hold him accountable for this delay, a thing comparable to the period when the Allies had learned of the existence of the death camps yet checked their moral outrage against military-tactical considerations.

The New Yorker

The EU may have made border transit delays a thing of the past, but English hauliers have had almost all their European work taken from them by eastern European hauliers, operating under EU rules, who have cut prices to an absurdly low level and driven firms from wealthier countries out of business.

The Guardian - Opinion

So motorcade delays are a thing of the past, and the future.

The New York Times

"We've done all we can with Gylfi agreeing terms and a fee, but he's gone away on holiday which has delayed things a bit," said Jenkins.

BBC

The pat answer is that college students should consider graduate school as a way to delay a job search until things turn around, and that more high school students should go to college to improve their prospects.

The New York Times

That delayed things a lot, so they scrapped it but at Pl's request you could still use a marshall, [FRCP 4(c)(3)] e.g., serving a plaintiff for a battery action in a domestic abuse situation.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common phrases like "postponed something" or "caused a delay" for clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on the word "thing". While convenient, it can make your writing vague. Replace it with a more specific noun to enhance clarity and impact. Example: Instead of "delayed a thing", try "delayed the project" or "delayed the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delayed a thing" functions as a verb phrase where "delayed" is the verb and "a thing" acts as the direct object. Ludwig AI points out that while grammatically sound, it's not a standard expression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delayed a thing" is grammatically acceptable but less common and may sound awkward. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a standard expression. It functions to indicate postponement or obstruction, but more common alternatives like "postponed something" or "caused a delay" are generally preferred. The phrase appears in various contexts, including news and media, academia, and science, suggesting a generally neutral register. When writing, consider using more specific and widely accepted phrasing for greater clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponed something

Replaces the phrase with a more standard verb and object construction.

held up a matter

Substitutes "delayed" with "held up" and uses "matter" instead of "thing" for a more formal tone.

caused a delay

Rephrases the action as causing a delay, shifting the focus to the result.

slowed down progress

Emphasizes the slowing of progress rather than a complete stop.

impeded the process

Uses a more formal vocabulary to indicate obstruction.

put things off

Expresses postponement in a more general, less formal way.

stalled the proceedings

Suggests a deliberate action to halt or slow down an event.

retarded development

Implies a hindrance to growth or advancement.

interrupted the flow

Focuses on disrupting a continuous action or process.

hindered the completion

Highlights the obstruction of finishing something.

FAQs

What does "delayed a thing" mean?

The phrase "delayed a thing" means that something has been postponed or held up. However, it's not a common or natural-sounding expression.

How can I rephrase "delayed a thing" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives like "postponed something", "caused a delay", or "held up a matter" for clearer and more idiomatic expression.

Is "delayed a thing" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "delayed a thing" is less common and may sound awkward to native English speakers. More standard phrasing is generally preferred.

When is it appropriate to use "delayed a thing"?

It might be used when you want to emphasize that something specific was delayed, but it's still advisable to opt for a more conventional phrasing unless stylistic reasons dictate otherwise.