great delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"great delay" is a correct expression in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, "The train was running late due to a great delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Others do so after a great delay and a temporary loss of benefits.

The New York Times

Update | Aug., 2013: We apologize for the great delay in posting winners, but they are finally up! Read the work of eight students here.

The New York Times

What position would we be in if, through any of the things that sometimes happen with political bodies, particularly I speak with reference to things which happen in my country, to delay matters, there might be great delay in naming prosecutors or judges?

Yale University

But long T img implies great delay in discrimination.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It has some great delay presets that recreate different types of delay and echo.

TechCrunch

The membrane flux adapted directly to the variation in influent flowrate s without great delay because of the small hydraulic inertness of the submerged membrane systems.

Applied Water Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Pacquiao is in rehabilitation after injuring a shoulder last year on the eve of his defeat by Floyd Mayweather Jr, a fight that proved to be one of boxing's great delayed let-downs.

The Guardian - Sport

Since current guidelines recommend care-providers to consider starting ART during the first 2 months of ATT for all TB patients, this misclassification would probably not lead to great delays in ART initiation.

Global Health Action

Boeing delayed its 787 jetliner by an additional six months, but some analysts had expected a greater delay.

The New York Times

In multivariate analysis, a higher admission hematocrit was associated with a greater delay in peak PHE (P=0.06).

Stanford University

However, the greatest delay was the 13 years it took to arrest Karadžić and bring him to The Hague for trial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "great delay", be specific about what is being delayed and the consequences of the delay. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "great delay" when a simple "delay" would suffice. Reserve "great delay" for situations where the delay has substantial and noticeable consequences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "delay". It describes a significant postponement or hindrance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct expression.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great delay" is a grammatically correct and relatively common way to describe a significant postponement or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its usage in varied contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific publications, indicating a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. While alternatives like "significant postponement" or "considerable deferment" exist, "great delay" strikes a balance between formality and impact. Use the phrase when you wish to emphasize the magnitude and consequences of a delay, but ensure that the delay is indeed substantial enough to warrant the descriptor "great".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant postponement

Replaces "delay" with a more formal synonym and "great" with "significant", indicating substantial impact.

considerable deferment

Uses more formal words for both "great" and "delay", emphasizing a planned postponement.

lengthy waiting period

Focuses on the duration of the delay, highlighting the time spent waiting.

protracted holdup

Implies an interruption or obstruction causing a significant delay.

substantial setback

Shifts the focus to the negative impact of the delay, portraying it as a hindrance to progress.

extensive lag

Replaces "delay" with a more technical term, "lag", emphasizing the gap in time.

major slowdown

Emphasizes the reduced pace of progress due to the delay.

serious impediment

Focuses on the hindering aspect of the delay, portraying it as a barrier.

notable tardiness

Highlights the lateness aspect of the delay, emphasizing its noticeability.

severe interruption

Emphasizes the disruption caused by the delay, suggesting a significant break in continuity.

FAQs

How can I use "great delay" in a sentence?

You can use "great delay" to describe a significant postponement or hindrance, such as, "The project suffered a great delay due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "great delay"?

You can use alternatives like "significant postponement", "considerable deferment", or "lengthy waiting period depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "great delay" and "greater delay"?

"Great delay" refers to a significant delay in general. "Greater delay" implies a comparison, indicating a longer delay compared to something else.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "great delay"?

Use "great delay" when you want to emphasize that a delay is substantial and has significant consequences. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but consider more precise language depending on the specific situation.