delayed by traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delayed by traffic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to explain a situation where someone or something is held up due to road congestion. Example: "I apologize for being late; I was delayed by traffic on my way to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

His lawyers later explained that he had been delayed by traffic and the boisterous crowd.

The New York Times

In the office, people might be delayed by traffic, take a long lunch with a colleague, or leave work early to let a repair person in.

Stanford University

Funeral directors are given specific times to arrive at the cemetery, he said, but often are delayed by traffic on the Long Island Expressway.

The New York Times

Raines intended to tell the rest of his teammates about his decision this morning, but was delayed by traffic on Interstate 4 and arrived late.

The New York Times - Sports

Three blocks away, on another evening, Marissa Jaret Winokur bursts into the Neil Simon Theater, delayed by traffic and a shopping spree.

The New York Times

We ourself always take a gander around us when we are delayed by traffic lights, and this sign reminds us to do it more attentively.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

When waiting to cross at crossings delayed by a traffic light, look at the interesting places around you for a few seconds".

The New Yorker

The opening curtain recently was delayed by a traffic jam at Yankee Stadium that seemed scripted for the visceral work, titled "The Provenance of Beauty".

The New York Times

This afternoon, Centrica's chief executive, Iain Conn, who was delayed by the traffic chaos, is discussing the politics of energy.

The Times

There is only one entrance to Potomac Green, a 55-and-older community, and they are worried that medical or fire response could be dangerously delayed by ballpark traffic.

The Washington Post

Many of those who wanted to attend the screening in Smethwick on Saturday were delayed by the traffic jam that resulted when the English Defence League marched in Birmingham – a poignant reminder, says Dosanjh, that white racist Britain is hardly dead.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When explaining a delay, be specific about the location or type of traffic (e.g., "delayed by traffic on the highway", "delayed by city traffic") to give more context.

Common error

While "delayed by traffic" is grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound less direct. Consider rephrasing as "Traffic delayed me" for a more active construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delayed by traffic" functions as a passive construction, explaining the reason for a delay. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage in different contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and common use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

22%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delayed by traffic" is a common and grammatically sound way to explain a delay caused by road congestion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. While generally neutral in register, consider more active constructions like "Traffic delayed me" for directness. When writing, be specific about the traffic's location or nature for clarity. Alternatives like "held up in traffic" or "stuck in traffic" can offer varying degrees of formality and emphasis. It's important to choose the phrasing that best suits the context and your intended audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held up in traffic

This alternative is a more informal and direct way of saying someone was stopped due to traffic.

stuck in traffic

This alternative is a common and slightly more emphatic way of saying someone is currently experiencing traffic delays.

held up by road congestion

This alternative replaces "traffic" with a more descriptive term: "road congestion".

impeded by traffic

This alternative uses a more formal word, "impeded", to suggest that progress was hindered by traffic.

slowed down by traffic

This alternative focuses on the reduced speed caused by the traffic.

hampered by traffic

This alternative uses "hampered" to indicate that the traffic made progress more difficult.

traffic caused a delay

This alternative reverses the structure to emphasize traffic as the cause of the delay.

running late due to traffic

This alternative highlights the consequence (being late) and the cause (traffic).

detained by traffic congestion

This alternative uses the more formal term "detained" to imply a more significant delay.

encountering traffic delays

This alternative describes the experience of facing traffic-related delays.

FAQs

What's the difference between "delayed by traffic" and "stuck in traffic"?

"Delayed by traffic" generally refers to a past event or reason for lateness, while "stuck in traffic" usually describes a current situation. For example, "I was delayed by traffic" versus "I am stuck in traffic now".

How can I use "delayed by traffic" in a formal email?

You can use it to explain your lateness or inability to attend something. For example, "I apologize for my late arrival; I was delayed by traffic on my way to the meeting."

What are some alternatives to saying "delayed by traffic"?

Alternatives include "held up in traffic", "slowed down by traffic", or "impeded by traffic". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "delayed by traffic" or "traffic delayed me"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "traffic delayed me" is more active and direct. "Delayed by traffic" is passive and can be useful when you want to focus on the delay rather than who or what caused it.