expect to be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'expect to be delayed' is indeed correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you anticipate an event or activity to take longer than expected. Example: We expect to be delayed in reaching our destination due to the heavy traffic.

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When cash inflows are expected to be delayed, value is less than the anticipated cash flow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His trial date for that incident had been set for Feb. 9, but was expected to be delayed.

The New York Times - Sports

The report suggests, for the first time publicly, that the white paper on charter renewal is expected to be delayed.

The Guardian

The Hariri trial, provisionally scheduled to start in The Hague on March 25, is again expected to be delayed.

The New York Times

The statements Tuesday were the clearest sign yet that a trial many expected to be delayed would go forward.

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the trial of another former SAC portfolio manager, Michael S. Steinberg, is scheduled for Nov. 18 and is not expected to be delayed.

The New York Times

Another major portion of the shortfall will be made up by shifting $6 million in capital money from the State Transportation Trust Fund to pay for operating expenses, but no specific building projects are expected to be delayed because of the shift.

The New York Times

A decision on another major CCS project, at a new coal-fired station at Hunterston in Ayrshire is now expected to be delayed for at least a year after receiving a record number of objections.

The Guardian

The ultimatum set the rebel New Forces on a collision course with Mr. Gbagbo, who, with the vote expected to be delayed, vowed Sunday to remain in office until it took place.

The New York Times

Shares in the stock, the biggest IPO of the year, were expected to start trading as early as today, but it is expected to be delayed because the SEC has yet to give the flotation the go-ahead, after Google had asked for a ruling by 4pm New York time yesterday.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, passenger service Eurostar said it planned to run a full service on Sunday "for passengers who have an existing reservation for this date", but trains are expected to be delayed by between 30 and 60 minutes because only one tunnel will be open.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing professionally, consider synonyms like "anticipate a delay" or "foresee a postponement" for variety and to maintain a formal tone.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive constructions like "expect to be delayed" when an active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The shipment is expected to be delayed", consider "We expect the shipment will be delayed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "expect to be delayed" functions as a verb phrase expressing an anticipation or prediction of a future delay. It often serves to inform or prepare the audience for a potential lateness or postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "expect to be delayed" is a grammatically sound and commonly understood way to express the anticipation of a delay. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard English grammar. While our search did not yield specific examples, it's a versatile phrase applicable across various contexts, though synonyms might be preferred for more formal writing. When using this phrase, consider the clarity and directness an active voice might offer, and be mindful of overusing passive constructions. For writing variety, think about alternatives like "anticipate a delay" or "foresee a postponement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipate a delay

Replaces "expect to be" with "anticipate", simplifying the verb phrase.

foresee a postponement

Substitutes "delay" with "postponement" and uses "foresee" instead of "expect".

predict a setback

Replaces the original phrase with a more general term "setback" and uses "predict" instead of "expect".

envisage a hold-up

Uses "envisage" for "expect" and replaces "delay" with the more informal "hold-up".

count on a late start

Shifts the focus to the start time being late rather than the event being delayed.

assume it will be late

Replaces "expect" with "assume" and uses a simpler sentence structure.

presume a rescheduling

Substitutes "delay" with "rescheduling" implying a new schedule will be set.

imagine a deferment

Uses "imagine" instead of "expect" and "deferment" for delay, implying a formal postponement.

suspect a waiting period

Replaces "delay" with "waiting period", focusing on the time spent waiting.

expect lateness

Simplifies the phrase to focus on the general expectation of lateness.

FAQs

How can I use "expect to be delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "expect to be delayed" to indicate that you anticipate something will be late or postponed. For example, "We "expect to be delayed" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What can I say instead of "expect to be delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "anticipate a delay", "foresee a postponement", or "predict a setback depending on the context.

Which is correct, "expect to be delayed" or "expect a delay"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Expect to be delayed" refers to the state of being delayed, while "expect a delay" refers to the delay itself as an event.

What's the difference between "expect to be delayed" and "might be delayed"?

"Expect to be delayed" suggests a higher degree of certainty or anticipation than "might be delayed". The latter indicates a possibility, while the former suggests a stronger likelihood.