heavy delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heavy delays" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example: "The flight was delayed due to heavy delays caused by inclement weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

La Guardia and Newark airports are experiencing heavy delays.

The Guardian

"If there are heavy delays, it's the 'what now' moment for motorists," Mr. Gorman said.

The New York Times

There are still reasonably heavy delays back to Chain Bridge Road, so expect a slow trek through this stretch.

The Washington Post

A police spokesman said that several bus routes would be disrupted and that drivers should expect heavy delays most of the day, especially in Midtown.

The New York Times

Thousands of commuters into New York City confronted another round of potentially heavy delays on the Long Island Rail Road on Tuesday morning, a day after an electrical short in a pair of cables sparked a fire in a control tower, causing an almost total shutdown of train traffic for part of the day.

The New York Times

Travel problems include the following: Virgin Trains is warning all services are subject to heavy delays, diversions and cancellations.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Due to the stable operation of a heavy delayed and disturbed process a significant optimization of operational performance was achieved.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

Because of a lot of packets losses or heavy delay.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

As shown in Eq. (11), noise estimation based on VAD can cause heavy delay, especially when speech exists for a long time, because it is only updated when speech is absent.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

It begins with a low note played on an electric guitar with heavy delay and distortion.

Wikipedia

3– 5 Finally, SA may remain unnoticed by women who are unaware of being pregnant and mistake symptoms of SA for heavy delayed menstruation.

Clinical Epidemiology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavy delays", consider the context. Use it when you want to emphasize the severity and impact of the delays. For lighter situations, consider alternatives like "minor delays" or "slight delays".

Common error

Avoid using "heavy delays" in every situation. Overusing it can diminish its impact. Instead, vary your language by using alternatives like "significant delays" or "major delays" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy delays" functions as a noun phrase, where "heavy" modifies the noun "delays". It describes the intensity or severity of the delays experienced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavy delays" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood phrase used to describe significant postponements or obstructions. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources. While the phrase is versatile, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when using it, ensuring it effectively communicates the severity of the delays. Consider replacing it with "significant delays" or "major delays" to avoid overuse. The phrase sees most frequent usage in news and media contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Significant delays

Replaces "heavy" with "significant", emphasizing the importance or impact of the delays.

Substantial delays

Uses "substantial" instead of "heavy", suggesting the delays are considerable in amount or degree.

Major delays

Substitutes "heavy" with "major", highlighting the seriousness or scale of the delays.

Extensive delays

Replaces "heavy" with "extensive", focusing on the widespread nature or length of the delays.

Severe delays

Uses "severe" in place of "heavy", emphasizing the intensity or harshness of the delays.

Considerable delays

Similar to "substantial delays", this emphasizes the noteworthiness of the delays.

Prolonged delays

Highlights that the delays are lasting for an extended period.

Lengthy delays

Focuses on the duration of the delays.

Serious delays

Indicates that the delays are a cause for concern.

Significant hold-ups

Uses a different noun, "hold-ups", to convey a similar meaning of obstruction or delay.

FAQs

How can I use "heavy delays" in a sentence?

You can use "heavy delays" to describe situations where there are significant postponements or obstructions. For example, "The airport experienced "heavy delays" due to the snowstorm".

What are some alternatives to "heavy delays"?

Alternatives to "heavy delays" include "significant delays", "major delays", or "extensive delays", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very heavy delays"?

While not strictly incorrect, saying "very heavy delays" can be redundant. "Heavy" already implies a significant degree of delay, so adding "very" might not add much value. Consider sticking with just "heavy delays" or using a stronger alternative like "severe delays".

What causes "heavy delays"?

"Heavy delays" can be caused by various factors, including weather conditions, technical issues, high traffic volume, or unforeseen circumstances. The specific cause often dictates the severity and duration of the delays.