excuse the delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excuse the delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when apologizing for a late response or action, often in professional or formal communication. Example: "Thank you for your patience; please excuse the delay in my response as I was attending to other matters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, you must apply to bring them to the United States within two years of being granted asylum, barring humanitarian reasons to excuse the delay.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As the case is reviewed, particular attention should be devoted to understanding what else was going on in the ICU that might have led to delays - but doing so not in order to excuse the delays but in order to develop resilient systems that will allow appropriately rapid resuscitation even in the face of such other factors.

Critical Care

There was no excuse for the Riots in Tottenham and there is no excuse for the delay of criminal prosecutions in the LIBOR scandal.

The Guardian - Business

What is Steinbrenner's excuse for the delay now?

The New York Times - Sports

But Kevin Jewell, an economic analyst for Texas Low Income Housing Information Service who has chronicled the progress of the state program on that nonprofit's blog, said state officials used the lack of Davis-Bacon wage information as an excuse, and the delay occurred because the housing department had to build the program from scratch.

The New York Times

"To be very blunt, there's just no excuse for the delay in applying standards that clearly should bar this kind of witch's brew," said Senator-elect Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, who as the state's attorney general has led a campaign against the drinks.

The New York Times

Of course, their excuse for the delay was "snow".

Huffington Post

The author, who has given many excuses for the delay, including tempting travel freebies and distraction, once said he hoped to have the ASOIAF saga finished by 1998.

Independent

The 22-year-old actress — she's the younger sister of the child stars turned clothing designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen — had the most fashionable of excuses for the delay: Karl Lagerfeld.

The New York Times

Young also pushed Nims to challenge excuses for the delay in the delivery of the cranes.

Huffington Post

The polite but evasive liaison keeps making excuses for the delay in issuing my press card.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excuse the delay", briefly explain the reason for the delay if possible to provide context and show consideration for the other party.

Common error

Avoid using "excuse the delay" repeatedly in the same communication. If multiple delays occur, vary your phrasing with alternatives like "I apologize for the continued delay" or "Thank you for your ongoing patience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excuse the delay" functions as an apologetic expression. It's used to politely ask for understanding or forgiveness for a delay that has occurred. Ludwig AI suggests it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excuse the delay" is a polite and grammatically correct phrase used to apologize for lateness or postponements, commonly found in news and media as well as formal communication. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts, making it a versatile option for expressing regret over delays. To enhance communication, it’s best practice to briefly explain the reason for the delay and to avoid overuse by using alternatives such as "I apologize for the delay" or "Sorry for the delay".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please forgive the delay

Emphasizes seeking forgiveness for the delay.

I apologize for the delay

A direct and formal apology.

Sorry for the delay

A more casual and concise apology.

Pardon the delay

A slightly more formal and polite way to apologize.

We regret the delay

Used when representing a group or organization.

My apologies for the delay

A more personalized and formal apology.

Please accept our apologies for the delay

A formal and emphatic apology, often used in professional settings.

We are sorry for the inconvenience caused by the delay

Focuses on the inconvenience caused.

Thank you for your patience during the delay

Acknowledges and appreciates the other person's patience.

We appreciate your understanding regarding the delay

Seeks understanding for the reason behind the delay.

FAQs

What is the appropriate context for using "excuse the delay"?

"Excuse the delay" is suitable for situations where you need to apologize for a late response or action. It's often used in professional or formal communication.

What can I say instead of "excuse the delay"?

You can use alternatives like "I apologize for the delay", "sorry for the delay", or "pardon the delay" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "excuse the delay" formal or informal?

"Excuse the delay" is generally considered to be neutral to slightly formal. It's appropriate for professional emails and communications but might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider alternatives for informal settings.

How to properly follow up after saying "excuse the delay"?

After using "excuse the delay", provide a brief explanation of the reason for the delay, if appropriate, and then immediately address the main point of your communication. This shows respect for the recipient's time and attention.