delayed reply

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delayed reply" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
This phrase can be used when you want to express that you responded to something late or with a delay. For example, "I apologize for the delayed reply; I had a lot of other tasks that needed my attention first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

(But not before beginning a delayed reply with a line worth filing away for use on future occasions: "I liked your letter so much that I put off answering it").

The New York Times - Style

If you can't respond within that time frame, you should apologize or offer an explanation for the delayed reply.

Huffington Post

A delayed reply gives the impression that you are uninterested in position and could make the employer reconsider their offer.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Delayed response means missed development opportunities.

Unicef

Well, an unexpected — but not totally surprising — insight into how airline executives think these days came this summer when B. Ben Baldanza, chief executive of the aggressively bare-bones Spirit Airlines, hit "reply all" to an e-mail message from a passenger who wished to be compensated for a delayed flight that caused him to miss a concert he was planning to attend.

The New York Times - Travel

Delayed flights.

The New York Times - Travel

Delayed satisfaction?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Delayed — Kristiansand 16:40.

The New Yorker

Is it a delayed reaction?

Independent

A delayed reaction, you say?

The Guardian - Film

DELAYED four hours in Boston.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When apologizing for a "delayed reply", briefly explain the reason for the delay to show consideration for the recipient's time and expectations.

Common error

While acknowledging a "delayed reply" is courteous, avoid excessive apologies that can undermine your professional image. A simple, sincere acknowledgment is usually sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delayed reply" functions as a noun phrase, where "delayed" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "reply". This phrase is often used to acknowledge that a response was not sent promptly. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delayed reply" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to acknowledge that a response was sent later than expected. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates its correct usage in written English. While its frequency is rare, it commonly appears in news, wiki and business contexts. When using this phrase, provide a brief explanation for the delay to show consideration. Avoid excessive apologies, as a simple acknowledgment is often sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late response

Focuses on the lateness of the response, without explicitly mentioning it's a reply.

tardy response

Emphasizes the delay and unpunctuality of the reply.

belated answer

Stresses that the answer was late or delayed.

response after a delay

Rephrases to highlight the existence of a waiting period before answering.

answer given late

Highlights the action of answering as being late.

response postponed

Highlights the answer was intentionally pushed back.

untimely reply

Focuses on the lack of suitability of the timing of the answer.

laggard reply

Emphasizes that the reply was slow and lagging behind.

protracted response

Stresses the lengthy duration of the response time.

reply after some time

General way of saying that the reply took a while to arrive.

FAQs

How to use "delayed reply" in a sentence?

You can use "delayed reply" to acknowledge a late response, such as, "I apologize for the delayed reply; I was out of office."

What can I say instead of "delayed reply"?

You can use alternatives like "late response", "tardy response", or "belated answer" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to apologize for a "delayed reply"?

While not always necessary, apologizing for a "delayed reply" is a good practice, especially in professional settings, as it shows respect for the other person's time.

What is the impact of a "delayed reply" in job applications?

A "delayed reply" after a job interview might suggest a lack of interest, potentially leading the employer to reconsider their offer.