has been significantly delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been significantly delayed' is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used in the context of something taking longer than expected or anticipated. For example, "The shipment has been significantly delayed due to weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Jurassic Park IV has been significantly delayed, with the franchise languishing in development hell for more than a decade.

The Guardian - Film

For example, if we can't find a test result when wanted, but it is normal and doesn't change our management, we define the lost result differently than when a result is abnormal, and now treatment has been significantly delayed[ 21].

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"There are not any projects that have been significantly delayed because of environmental review," he said.

The New York Times

But Sydney artist Jonti says the comparison to Axl Rose's widely panned vanity project – which for years became shorthand for any album that had been significantly delayed – is unfair.

The Guardian - Music

Ian Lucas, the shadow defence minister, said: "Having been significantly delayed in the first instance, the UK-based training programme has now collapsed in disarray and scandal and there are no plans to continue it elsewhere.

The Guardian

"Having been significantly delayed in the first instance, the UK-based training programme has now collapsed in disarray and scandal, and there are no plans to continue it elsewhere.

The Guardian

Without a night HEMS service, treatment and transport of these critically injured children would have been significantly delayed.

Critical Care

The expansion of Tregs in the above settings has been significantly associated with increased or delayed parasite growth [16] [19] as well as with increased parasite load [20] [22] and development of clinical malaria [23].

Plosone

The plot has been significantly realigned.

The Guardian - Music

Ticket sales have been significantly affected.

The New York Times - Sports

Both have been significantly concerned with intentionality.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience when using this phrase. While generally acceptable, adjust the formality based on the intended readership. For a more formal tone, use synonyms like "has experienced considerable delays".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of the delay unless it is truly significant. Overstating the impact can undermine credibility. Instead, present the facts objectively and let the audience draw their own conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been significantly delayed" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something (an event, project, or process) has experienced a substantial postponement. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been significantly delayed" is a grammatically correct and widely used passive verb phrase. It indicates that something has been postponed substantially and serves to inform an audience about the delay, manage expectations, or explain changes in plans. As Ludwig AI points out, this expression is typically found in contexts such as "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business". While it can be used in various registers, its formality can be adjusted based on the audience and context. Alternatives like "has experienced considerable delays" can provide subtle differences in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has experienced considerable delays

Replaces "significantly delayed" with "experienced considerable delays", emphasizing the experience of delays rather than the degree.

has been subject to major postponements

Substitutes "significantly delayed" with "subject to major postponements", highlighting the act of postponing.

is running far behind schedule

Uses a more informal tone to indicate a significant delay by stating that something is "running far behind schedule".

has encountered substantial setbacks

Replaces the idea of delay with "substantial setbacks", focusing on the obstacles encountered.

has suffered extensive holdups

Substitutes delay with "extensive holdups", emphasizing the stoppages that caused the delay.

is much later than anticipated

Expresses the delay by stating something is "much later than anticipated", focusing on the difference from the original expectation.

has been pushed back considerably

Uses the phrasal verb "pushed back" to indicate a delay, with "considerably" emphasizing the extent.

is taking much longer than expected

Focuses on the duration of the delay by stating something is "taking much longer than expected".

has been deferred substantially

Replaces "delayed" with "deferred", indicating a formal postponement of something to a later time, while "substantially" underlines the scale of the delay.

is behind its original timeline

Expresses the delay in terms of a deviation from the "original timeline", indicating it's not on schedule.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been significantly delayed"?

When something "has been significantly delayed", it means that it is much later than originally planned or expected. The phrase indicates a substantial postponement or setback.

What are some alternatives to saying "has been significantly delayed"?

You can use alternatives such as "has experienced considerable delays", "is running far behind schedule", or "has encountered substantial setbacks" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "has been significantly delayed" in formal writing?

Yes, "has been significantly delayed" is appropriate for formal writing. However, consider the specific context and audience. In some cases, a more formal alternative like "has been deferred substantially" may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "has been delayed" and "has been significantly delayed"?

While "has been delayed" simply indicates a postponement, "has been significantly delayed" emphasizes that the delay is substantial or considerable. The addition of "significantly" highlights the extent of the delay.