huge delay

USAGE SUMMARY

'huge delay' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when speaking about a significant amount of time between two events or processes. For example, "Due to the huge delay in getting the necessary parts, the repair job took twice as long as originally estimated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

But that would cause a huge delay, he added.

The New York Times

"There's a huge delay with the stream and they keep showing the same ads.

The New York Times

But the main reason for the huge delay is that the PCT failed to consult properly with residents and families, which has led to costly and unnecessary delays.

The Guardian

It's a small, but welcome, consolation for the huge delay on releasing his next album Tha Carter V. Record label Cash Money's refusal to release it led Wayne to file a $51 million lawsuit in which he claims the company, owned by Birdman, has been withholding money from its clients.

Independent

However, these researchers are aware of the great disadvantage of this technique, mainly the huge delay raised by data transfer.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The lowest end-to-end delay makes the M-ATTEMPT protocol favorable for applications where huge delay cannot be tolerated.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They have told her to expect huge delays.

The New York Times

The huge delays in concluding successful rape convictions were also highlighted by the report.

Independent

To do more without creating huge delays to trade would require better equipment.

The Economist

The costs of that network expansion, however, are evident to almost anyone who flies: the risk of huge delays.

The New York Times - Tech

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was supposed to prove that the Pentagon could build a technologically advanced weapon system within an affordable budget, without huge delays.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "huge delay", consider the context. Is the size or the impact of the delay more important to emphasize? Choose synonyms that reflect your focus for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid stacking intensifiers. Instead of saying "very huge delay", opt for a single strong adjective or rephrase for greater impact. Consider using "significant delay" or "extensive delay" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "huge delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "huge" modifies the noun "delay". It describes the extent or magnitude of the delay. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "huge delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a significant postponement. Ludwig confirms the phrase's validity and common usage. While prevalent in News & Media, it also appears in scientific contexts. When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, opting for synonyms that emphasize either the size or impact of the delay. Be mindful of overuse, avoiding stacked intensifiers for a stronger impact. Its purpose is to underline the significance and potentially negative impact of the delay and it is a neutral phrase that is appropriate in almost any context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial postponement

Replaces "delay" with a more formal synonym and "huge" with a similar adjective indicating size or importance.

significant lag

Substitutes both "huge" and "delay" with synonyms emphasizing the notable extent of the time gap.

considerable holdup

Replaces "delay" with "holdup", suggesting an interruption or obstruction causing a large delay.

extensive waiting period

Rephrases the concept to highlight the duration of waiting caused by the delay.

lengthy interruption

Highlights the interruptive nature of the delay and indicates its long duration.

protracted deferment

Uses more formal synonyms to convey a sense of a prolonged or extended delay.

major setback

Shifts the focus to the negative impact of the delay, emphasizing its significant hindering effect.

inordinate amount of time

Expresses that the delay exceeded reasonable or expected timeframes.

severe impedance

Indicates that something is obstructing something else and is causing a delay.

significant time loss

Changes the perspective to focus on the lost time as a consequence of the large delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "huge delay" to describe a significant postponement or waiting period. For example: "The project suffered a "huge delay" due to unforeseen circumstances.".

What are some alternatives to "huge delay"?

Some alternatives to "huge delay" include "significant lag", "substantial postponement", or "considerable holdup".

Is it better to say "big delay" or "huge delay"?

Both "big delay" and "huge delay" are acceptable, but "huge delay" implies a more substantial or impactful delay. The choice depends on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "huge delay" and "slight delay"?

"Huge delay" indicates a significant and potentially problematic postponement, whereas "slight delay" suggests a minor and less consequential one. The difference lies in the magnitude and impact of the delay.