delays built up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delays built up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where delays accumulate over time, often leading to a larger issue or problem. Example: "Due to the heavy snowfall, delays built up throughout the day, causing frustration among travelers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

About 2,000 people remained camped inside the airport from delays built up over the week.

The New York Times

At the UK's busiest airport, Heathrow, BA cancelled 20 domestic and European departures and arrivals as delays built up.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In retrospect, it would have been a good plan to get there soon after that, because its capacity is limited and delays build up as the day wears on.

The New York Times - Travel

If the clock drift is not detected accurately, delay builds up during a call, so clock drift can have a significant impact on the speech quality.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

At one point he put a microphone in a metal cup and tapped the insides of it for five minutes or so; with digital delay, he built up a combined clicking rhythm that felt like 6/8, then scraped the microphone against the metal to get a dentist-drill whine.

The New York Times

The race re-started behind the safety car after an hour's delay and Rosberg built up a five-second lead in the two laps it took Hamilton to pass Jenson Button's McLaren.

BBC

They sort of assume — Some historians assume that it was just a delaying measure while Americans built up troops.

Yale University

But there is no advantage for Israel in going slow: every day of unnecessary delay builds up resentment at the painful compromises that are integral to such an agreement.

The Economist

The game isn't "scheduled" for release until 2013, and who's to say how many times until then the project will be re-shaped, torn down then built up again, delayed, and so on?

TechCrunch

Tension over Monday's announcement had built up after repeated delays, sparking speculation that Kremlin power groupings were jockeying for significant posts.

The New York Times

It was shut at 22 00 GMT on Wednesday, leading to delays for motorists as traffic queues built up on both sides of the Dartford Crossing on Thursday.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delays built up" to effectively describe situations where delays accumulate over time, leading to significant problems or disruptions. For instance, "Due to the heavy snowfall, "delays built up" throughout the day, causing frustration among travelers."

Common error

While "delays built up" is grammatically sound, it can sound slightly formal in very casual settings. Opt for more colloquial alternatives like "delays piled up" or "delays got worse" in informal conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delays built up" functions as a verb phrase indicating the accumulation or escalation of delays over a period. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase describes a situation where delays increase and compound, often resulting in significant disruptions. See Ludwig's examples from news and media, and other sources, which show this usage in practice.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delays built up" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, indicating the accumulation of delays over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where delays worsen and compound, often resulting in disruptions. While most frequently found in news and media, it also appears in scientific and academic contexts. For informal settings, alternatives like "delays piled up" may be more appropriate. Use "delays built up" to accurately and effectively convey the escalating nature of delays in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delays accumulated

Focuses on the accumulation aspect, using a more formal verb.

delays increased

Emphasizes the rise in the number or severity of delays.

delays mounted

Suggests a gradual increase in delays, often implying a negative impact.

delays piled up

Similar to "built up" but with a slightly more informal tone.

delays accrued

A more formal alternative, suitable for technical or official contexts.

delays intensified

Highlights the worsening or strengthening of the delays.

delays escalated

Implies a rapid and significant increase in delays.

delays expanded

Focuses on the broadening scope or reach of the delays.

delays multiplied

Suggests a rapid and substantial increase in the number of delays.

delays snowballed

Implies an initial small number of delays growing quickly into a large problem.

FAQs

What does "delays built up" mean?

The phrase "delays built up" indicates that delays have accumulated or increased over a period, leading to a more significant problem or disruption. It suggests a gradual worsening of a situation due to repeated delays.

How can I use "delays built up" in a sentence?

You can use "delays built up" to describe situations in various contexts, such as: "Due to the technical fault, "delays accumulated" at the airport." or "After the initial incident, "delays increased" across the network."

What are some alternatives to "delays built up"?

Some alternatives to "delays built up" include "delays accumulated", "delays increased", "delays mounted", or "delays piled up". The choice depends on the specific context and the desired level of formality.

Is "delays built up" formal or informal?

"Delays built up" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very casual settings, a phrase like "delays piled up" might be more appropriate.