encounter a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encounter a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing situations where there is a holdup or postponement in a process or event. Example: "We may encounter a delay in the delivery of the project due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

LONDON — The prospect of an imminent Western military strike on Syrian government targets appeared to encounter a delay on Wednesday when Britain signaled it would first await the findings of a United Nations inquiry into the suspected use of chemical weapons in an attack that killed hundreds near Damascus last week, and then hold a separate parliamentary vote, which could be days away.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was the closest we came to encountering a delay.

The New Yorker

NELSON MARANS Silver Spring, Md. Steven Taubenkibel, a spokesman for Amtrak, responds: Mr. Marans's train encountered a delay of 59 minutes between Washington and Baltimore because of engine problems.

The New York Times - Travel

Depending on the Project-specific circumstances, when a Project encounters a delay, the Contractor typically retains its supervisory team at the job site.

Construction Delays Understanding Them Clearly, Analyzing Them Correctly

"I rebooked myself on a connecting flight from JFK Airport to Detroit after we encountered a delay," she recalls.

Huffington Post

A 2011 Caltrans study estimated that the average commuter encountered a delay of 10 minutes on the portion from I-5 to I-15.

Wikipedia

According to a study in 2010 by Gomez that studied the impact of delay on websites, more than 75% people left for a competitor's site when they encountered a delay of even a few seconds.

Huffington Post

John Oliva, a former Suffolk cop who served with Trotta on the task force targeting MS-13, said he never encountered a delay or backlog of cases with ICE during the Bush or Obama administrations.

Vice

While the jet encountered a delay of up to 35 minutes, they found that the deicing fluid that was being used at the airport, and by the majority of commercial airlines across the United States, was effective for only fifteen minutes.

Wikipedia

Patients with PDAC frequently encounter a number of delays during their route to diagnosis.

BMJ Open

The day we headed to Shiraz airport, we encountered a traffic delay.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives like "experience a setback" or "face a postponement" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "encounter a delay" when the situation involves a complete halt or cancellation; instead, opt for stronger terms like "halted" or "canceled" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encounter a delay" functions as a verb phrase where "encounter" acts as a transitive verb and "a delay" serves as the direct object. This construction is used to describe the experience of facing a temporary setback. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "encounter a delay" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the experience of facing a postponement. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English. While alternatives like "experience a setback" or "face a postponement" exist, the choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance. Usage is frequent in news, science, and general writing, denoting its versatility across different domains. When using "encounter a delay", providing context regarding the cause of the delay enhances clarity. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively communicate delays in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience a setback

Focuses on the negative impact rather than the timing.

face a postponement

Emphasizes the act of delaying rather than the experience.

run into a snag

More informal, implying a small, unexpected problem.

meet with an obstruction

Highlights the hindering aspect of the delay.

come up against a hurdle

Suggests overcoming a difficulty that causes the delay.

be subject to a hold-up

Focuses on the act of something being stopped.

undergo a deferment

Emphasizes the formal aspect of the postponement.

be affected by a slowdown

Indicates a reduction in pace rather than a complete stop.

hit a roadblock

Figuratively suggests an obstacle blocking progress.

find oneself delayed

More reflective and passive voice.

FAQs

What does "encounter a delay" mean?

To "encounter a delay" means to experience a situation where something is postponed, slowed down, or temporarily hindered from progressing as scheduled.

What can I say instead of "encounter a delay"?

You can use alternatives like "experience a setback", "face a postponement", or "run into a snag" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "encounter a delay" or "experience a delay"?

Both "encounter a delay" and "experience a delay" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired tone and context. "Encounter" might sound slightly more formal.

How do I use "encounter a delay" in a sentence?

You can use "encounter a delay" in a sentence like this: "The project may "encounter a delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."