delaying the process

USAGE SUMMARY

"delaying the process" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that is causing a delay or slowing down a process. Example: The high volume of paperwork is delaying the process of approving new applications.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

She said: "It's difficult to see how this new information can avoid delaying the process.

The Guardian

But delaying the process of getting to the truth will harm our country far more.

The Washington Post

… delaying the process of getting to the truth will harm our country far more.

The Washington Post

"Delaying the process is something that I really don't understand," she said.

The New York Times

This is delaying the process of sorting bad loans from those that may eventually be repaid, when commodity prices recover.

The New York Times

He also said that some newsstands and distributors continue to count inventory by hand, delaying the process.

The New York Times

"They are just delaying the process," said Jyotirmoy Barua, the lawyer handling the petition, speaking of Mr. Hossain's defense team.

The New York Times

Yet industry insiders say many mortgage companies can profit by delaying the process and keeping homeowners in long-term delinquency, extracting myriad fees.

The New York Times

But the prosecutor has criticised the officers for refusing to co-operate with investigators and "needlessly delaying the process of justice".

The Guardian

Medvedchuk said criminal charges had to be withdrawn and documents found for all those to be released by Kiev's forces, which was delaying the process.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I definitely delayed the process.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about project management or legal scenarios, use "delaying the process" to accurately describe actions that cause a hold-up.

Common error

Instead of generally stating something is causing a delay, specify how it's "delaying the process". Provide specific examples or actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delaying the process" functions as a gerund phrase, where "delaying" acts as a verb-turned-noun, describing the action of causing a delay. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is a common and grammatically correct construction. The examples in Ludwig show it's used to describe holdups in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

16%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delaying the process" is a versatile and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of slowing down or postponing progress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely understood. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for various contexts, from formal reports to casual discussions. While alternatives like "prolonging the procedure" or "impeding the advancement" can add variety, ensuring clarity and specifying the how of the delay remains crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prolonging the procedure

Focuses on extending the duration of a specific action.

postponing the progression

Emphasizes deferring the forward movement of something.

deferring the conclusion

Specifies the action of putting off the final resolution.

impeding the advancement

Focuses on the action of preventing something from moving forward.

hindering the advancement

Highlights the obstruction of progress or development.

stalling the initiative

Implies a deliberate attempt to halt or slow an endeavor.

obstructing the completion

Highlights preventing the finalization of something.

slowing down the workflow

Refers specifically to impeding the efficiency of a series of tasks.

holding up the implementation

Focuses on preventing a plan or system from being put into effect.

dragging out the timeline

Implies unnecessarily extending the duration of an activity.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "delaying the process" for variety?

You could use phrases like "prolonging the procedure", "impeding the advancement", or "stalling the initiative" to convey similar meanings.

Is there a more formal way to say "delaying the process"?

In formal contexts, consider using "deferring the conclusion" or "obstructing the completion" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "delaying the process" and "stopping the process"?

"Delaying the process" implies a temporary hold, whereas "stopping the process" means bringing it to a complete halt. The former suggests eventual continuation, while the latter indicates termination.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "delaying the process"?

The phrase "delaying the process" is suitable when discussing legal matters, project management, scientific experiments, or any situation where progress is being slowed or postponed, but not necessarily stopped entirely.