in delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"in delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to a prolonging of the amount of time required to do something. For example, "The construction project has been in delay for weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Bears game still in delay.

The Guardian - Sport

Attention in delay of gratification.

The Guardian

Other arguments are handled as in delay.

Stanford University

"I don't see any advantage in delay," Cole told reporters.

The Guardian

By contrast, public transport developments are mired in delay and confusion.

The Guardian - Business

This government has form in delay and dither when it comes to its green policy agenda.

The Guardian

mus-interpolate is the function used whenever table lookup interpolation is requested, as in delay or wave-train.

Stanford University

Washington's announcement last year that it would seek amendments to the ABM treaty also resulted in delay.

The New York Times

Routing in Delay Tolerant Networks is very challenging because of frequent disconnections.

Pervasive and Mobile Computing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

There's usually a built-in delay of at least 15 to 20 minutes.

The Washington Post

In refrigerators, for example, a built-in delay prevents the compressor from turning on immediately after the door is opened.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in delay", consider the specific context to ensure it accurately reflects the nature and cause of the delay. For example, use it to describe a process that has been prolonged due to unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "in delay" when an active verb would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The shipment is in delay by customs", consider "Customs is delaying the shipment".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in delay" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used to modify nouns or verbs, indicating a state or condition of being prolonged or postponed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

30%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in delay" is a grammatically correct and common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is being prolonged or postponed. According to Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English. It frequently appears in science, news, and academic contexts, signifying its versatility across different communication scenarios. While useful, consider alternative phrases like "subject to postponement" or "experiencing a setback" for varied expression. When writing, ensure "in delay" accurately reflects the nature of the delay and avoid misusing it with active verbs where a more direct construction is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject to postponement

This alternative emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of being delayed.

experiencing a setback

This alternative highlights the negative impact of the delay as a hindrance to progress.

held up

This is a more informal way of saying that something is delayed or prevented from progressing.

encountering holdups

This alternative emphasizes the presence of obstacles that are causing the delay.

under suspension

This alternative suggests a temporary interruption or cessation of activity.

facing a slowdown

This phrase indicates a decrease in the rate of progress, rather than a complete stop.

subject to a standstill

Highlights the complete absence of movement or progress. Stronger than just a "delay".

lagging behind schedule

This alternative emphasizes the comparison to an expected timeline or plan.

not on track

This is a general way of saying that something is not progressing as planned.

behind the curve

This alternative is less direct and indicates that something is falling behind a trend or standard.

FAQs

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

You can use "in delay" to describe something that is being prolonged. For example, "The project is "in delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What phrases can I use instead of "in delay"?

Alternatives include "subject to postponement", "experiencing a setback", or "held up". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the process is in delay"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. However, depending on the context, it might be more direct to say something like "the process is delayed" or "the process is "lagging behind schedule"".

What is the difference between "in delay" and "delayed"?

"In delay" describes a state of being prolonged, while "delayed" is a past participle adjective that directly indicates something has been postponed. For example, "the flight is delayed" is more direct than "the flight is "in delay"".