have been delayed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been delayed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been postponed or held up for a specific duration or reason. Example: "The shipment has been delayed for two weeks due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Without 863, the technology would have been delayed for years".

The New Yorker

Attempts to form a cabinet have been delayed for weeks.

The New York Times

I have been delayed for longer between Charing Cross and Embankment.

The Guardian - Travel

Several British flights to the United States have been delayed for hours as American officials pored over the flight lists, according to pilots and airline officials.

The New York Times - Travel

While the European plans for peacekeeping have been delayed for now at the insistence of the American military, the peacekeeping issue could re-emerge.

The New York Times

US efforts to help mineral-rich countries shake off the "resource curse" have been delayed for five years by the oil industry's vigorous resistance, campaigners warn.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

My wife and I can do things we have been delaying for years.

Huffington Post

MINGO'S RETURN DELAYED Barkevious Mingo's league debut has been delayed for at least another week.

The New York Times - Sports

The SPV has been delayed for months.

The Guardian

Three federal suits had been delayed for the talks.

The New York Times

A decision on the drug had been delayed for months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been delayed for", clearly state the reason for the delay to provide context and maintain transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "have been delayed for" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often provides more direct and engaging phrasing. Instead of "The project has been delayed for a month", consider "The project is delayed by a month".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been delayed for" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something has been postponed or its progress has been hindered for a specified duration or reason. It uses the auxiliary verbs "have" and "been" to create a present perfect passive construction, as showcased by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been delayed for" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that something has been postponed, typically with an explanation of the duration or cause. Ludwig AI confirms its accuracy and versatility across various domains such as News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business. While overuse of the passive voice should be avoided, employing this phrase effectively communicates delays with clarity and context. Related phrases include alternatives like "have been postponed for" and "have experienced delays".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been put off

Focuses on the act of postponing.

have been deferred

Indicates a formal postponement to a later time.

have experienced delays

Focuses on the experience of delay rather than the action of delaying.

have faced postponements

Emphasizes the aspect of facing or encountering delays.

have been held back

Implies a force preventing progress.

have been set back

Highlights the setback caused by the delay.

are behind schedule

Highlights being late relative to a plan.

have been adjourned

Suggests a temporary suspension or delay.

are running late

Indicates being behind the expected timing.

have overstayed

Highlights that something has lasted longer than expected

FAQs

How do I use "have been delayed for" in a sentence?

Use "have been delayed for" to indicate that something has been postponed or held up for a specific amount of time or due to a particular reason. For instance, "The flight "has been delayed for" three hours due to bad weather".

What can I say instead of "have been delayed for"?

You can use alternatives like "have been postponed for", "have been pushed back for", or "have been rescheduled for" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "has been delayed for" instead of "have been delayed for"?

"Has been delayed for" is used with singular subjects, while "have been delayed for" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The meeting has been delayed" (singular) versus "The meetings have been delayed" (plural).

What's the difference between "delayed by" and "delayed for"?

"Delayed by" usually refers to the cause or reason for the delay, while "delayed for" specifies the duration of the delay. For example, "The flight was delayed by weather" versus "The flight was delayed for three hours".