get delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "get delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is postponed or takes longer than expected. Example: "The train is expected to get delayed due to the heavy snowfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Military plans always get delayed.

Independent

Legislators work up through the Christmas holidays, doctor payments get delayed and patients get nervous.

The Washington Post

." "We could both get delayed, make our phone calls, head to the nearest hotel".

The New Yorker

"So ... .. "We could both get delayed, make our phone calls, head to the nearest hotel".

The New Yorker

You get delayed in giving people jobs and paying taxes to the community.

The Economist

Do take all baby essentials as hand luggage – you may get delayed taking off.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

We got delayed".

The New Yorker

"It got delayed 26 or 27 years".

The New York Times

"Everything got delayed because the government got restructured".

The New York Times

That feast kept getting delayed, and in 1999, Bouley Bakery expanded.

The New York Times - Food

"The 1 train just kept getting delayed," she said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "get delayed", ensure the subject is something that can plausibly be affected by external factors, like "flights", "projects", or "payments".

Common error

Avoid using "get delayed" when you mean to say something actively delays another thing. Instead of "The traffic get delayed me", say "The traffic delayed me."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get delayed" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state or condition where something is being subjected to a delay. Examples show it applies to flights, projects, payments, etc., aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get delayed" is a commonly used and grammatically correct passive verb phrase indicating that something is being postponed or experiencing a setback. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to everyday conversations. While alternatives such as "be postponed" or "experience a delay" might offer more formal alternatives, "get delayed" remains a versatile and readily understandable option. Remember to ensure that the subject can logically be affected by external delays and avoid confusing it with active forms of "delay". Its high frequency in news, scientific, and academic sources reflects its widespread acceptance and practical use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

experience a delay

Nominalizes the verb, focusing on the delay as an event.

be postponed

Replaces "get delayed" with a more formal synonym emphasizing the act of delaying.

be put off

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate a postponement or rescheduling.

be held up

Implies that something is causing the delay.

be set back

Suggests a delay that also has a negative impact or hinders progress.

run late

Focuses on the lateness as a consequence of the delay.

be behind schedule

Similar to "fall behind schedule" but expresses a state of being.

fall behind schedule

Emphasizes the deviation from a planned timeline.

face a hold-up

This suggests there is an obstacle or obstruction causing the delay.

encounter a setback

Highlights the problematic nature of the delay as an obstacle.

FAQs

How to use "get delayed" in a sentence?

"Get delayed" is used to indicate that something is postponed or experiencing a setback. For example, "My flight might "get delayed" due to the storm", or "Project deadlines often "get delayed" because of unforeseen issues."

What can I say instead of "get delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "be postponed", "be held up", or "experience a delay" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "get delayed" or "be delayed"?

Both "get delayed" and "be delayed" are grammatically correct, but "be delayed" is generally considered more formal. "Get delayed" is more common in everyday speech.

What's the difference between "get delayed" and "delay"?

"Get delayed" is passive, indicating something is happening to the subject. "Delay" is active, indicating something is causing the postponement. For example: "The flight will get delayed" (passive) vs. "The storm will delay the flight" (active).