he got delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he got delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone experienced a delay, often in the context of travel or appointments. Example: "He got delayed due to heavy traffic on the way to the airport."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He got delayed by injury, but now he does.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I figured that's part of the reason things got delayed," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Kasten's Braves abandoned their plans for a "magnificent" spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., he said, "when it got delayed and I thought the financing and the public-private squabbling was never going to get done".

The New York Times

Then he said "My flight just got delayed and now I'm on the next one".

Huffington Post

"It's not so much a case of things don't get done, but they get delayed and then they cost more," he added.

BBC

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

"Every time something got delayed, the budget was doubling," Phillips said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other plans got delayed in the past because there wasn't real will or commitment.

The Guardian

Hawkins got delayed at the airport and had to race to the ballpark.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he got delayed", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause of the delay if relevant. For example, "He got delayed due to traffic", provides a clearer picture than simply, "He got delayed".

Common error

Avoid using "he got delayed by himself", as it implies he intentionally caused the delay, which is usually not the intended meaning. The phrase typically implies an external cause.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he got delayed" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone experienced a delay. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. This is consistent with examples where the subject is acted upon by an external factor causing the delay.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he got delayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express that someone experienced a delay. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to inform about lateness caused by external factors. While slightly less formal than alternatives like "he was delayed", it remains a versatile and appropriate choice for general communication. Remember to provide context about the cause of the delay for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he experienced a delay

Replaces the verb "got" with "experienced" to offer a more formal tone.

he was held up

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate a delay, implying an obstruction.

his arrival was postponed

Focuses on the arrival being affected by the delay.

he ran behind schedule

Highlights that he fell behind the planned timeline.

his plans were disrupted

Indicates an interruption or disturbance in his plans.

he faced a setback

Suggests the delay was an impediment to progress.

he encountered an obstacle

Implies a specific barrier caused the delay.

he was set back

Uses a passive construction to show the delay as an action imposed upon him.

his progress was impeded

Emphasizes that his advancement was hindered.

he was late

Simply states that he was not on time, without specifying the cause.

FAQs

What does "he got delayed" mean?

The phrase "he got delayed" means that someone experienced an unforeseen hold-up, resulting in their being late or behind schedule. This typically implies an external cause.

What can I say instead of "he got delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "he was delayed", "he was held up", or "his arrival was postponed" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he got delayed"?

Yes, "he got delayed" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It's an acceptable way to express that someone experienced a delay.

What's the difference between "he got delayed" and "he was delayed"?

Both phrases are similar in meaning, but "he was delayed" is often considered slightly more formal. "He got delayed" is more conversational.