immense delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or considerable postponement in time, often in contexts related to transportation, projects, or processes. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was an immense delay in the delivery of the shipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Whatever it was like to live through, one can't as a reader regret the immense delay and traumatic contributions of Fitzgerald's life.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But even this programme has faced immense delays.

The Guardian - Business

And even when death sentences are finally carried out, it is only after immense delays: the 68 prisoners executed in 1998 spent an average of 10 years and 10 months on death row.

The New York Times

Despite clear paths of advance through the floods and swamps across their front, both divisions initially disappointed the First Army by failing to gain significant ground, but first light the next morning revealed that the Germans had been compelled to retreat by their crumbling left flank, leaving only immense minefields to delay VIII Corps' advance.

Wikipedia

There are various reasons to go this route -- the people involved may want to avoid the immense expense and delays associated with the court system, or may want decisions made by someone with specialized knowledge or experience.

Huffington Post

On commissioning, Pulse recognises the immense difficulties ahead, particularly the delay in authorisation, and the possibility of conflicts of interest between CCG boards and private healthcare providers.

The Guardian

Writing in a newspaper column, Clarkson said that those who commit suicide on railways cause "immense" disruption for commuters by delaying their journeys.

The Guardian

"The bill and its delay are causing an immense concern because people don't know what is coming.

BBC

Fertility problems associated with delayed childbearing were an immense concern for most women rather than pregnancy-related issues.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

The Dutch agreed to hand over some of the lands but again delayed it because of the immense debt the king was held to owe them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the very least, the story of the delayed Vytorin trial shows the immense pressure companies are under to prove their medicines really work as advertised and to show how easy it would be for them to delay negative results.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a delay, quantify it if possible. For instance, instead of just stating "immense delay", specify the length of the delay (e.g., "an immense delay of six months") or the consequences (e.g., "an immense delay leading to significant financial losses").

Common error

While "immense" effectively conveys size or scale, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Consider using alternatives like "huge", "massive", or "significant" for a more natural tone in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "immense" is an adjective modifying the noun "delay". It describes the extent or degree of the delay, indicating that it is substantial or significant. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is deemed correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immense delay" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a significant postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for written English, and the tool's examples suggest its presence in news, encyclopedias and other formal contexts. When using "immense delay", consider the audience and context, opting for a more informal synonym such as "huge delay" in casual settings. Remember to quantify the delay or its impact whenever possible to enhance clarity. The phrase effectively communicates the magnitude of the delay and its potential consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial holdup

Replaces "delay" with "holdup" and "immense" with "substantial", altering the specific noun and adjective while retaining the core meaning of a significant postponement.

significant postponement

Substitutes "delay" with "postponement" and "immense" with "significant" to maintain the meaning while employing different vocabulary.

major setback

Replaces the entire phrase with a different construction implying a serious hindrance or delay.

considerable lag

Uses "lag" instead of "delay" and "considerable" instead of "immense" to soften the tone while still indicating a noteworthy delay.

extensive waiting period

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the time spent waiting, replacing "delay" with "waiting period" and "immense" with "extensive".

prolonged deferment

Replaces "delay" with "deferment" and "immense" with "prolonged", suggesting a formal or officially extended delay.

serious impediment

Shifts the focus to the hindering aspect of the delay, using "impediment" instead of "delay" and "serious" instead of "immense".

extreme protraction

Replaces "delay" with "protraction" and "immense" with "extreme", emphasizing the drawn-out nature of the delay.

huge setback

Similar to major setback, replacing "delay" with a different word.

lengthy interruption

Replacing "delay" with interruption

FAQs

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

You can use "immense delay" to describe a significant postponement or holdup. For example: "The project faced an immense delay due to unforeseen circumstances".

What phrases are similar to "immense delay"?

Alternatives to "immense delay" include "substantial holdup", "significant postponement", or "major setback", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "immense delay"?

The phrase "immense delay" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the considerable extent or impact of a delay, particularly in formal or professional contexts.

Is "immense delay" interchangeable with "enormous delay"?

While "immense" and "enormous" are synonyms, "immense delay" might be preferred in formal writing or when emphasizing the consequences of the delay, while "enormous delay" can be used to emphasize just the size of the delay.