inevitable delay

USAGE SUMMARY

'inevitable delay' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a delay that was unavoidable or unavoidable. Example sentence: Due to inclement weather, there was an inevitable delay in our travel plans.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

That is an almost inevitable delay if human cadavers are employed, since permission must be sought and forms filled in.

The Economist

Whoever wins in court, this unseemly rigmarole has extended the inevitable delay in improving things, as London's voters will no doubt remember.

The Economist

The inevitable delay frustrates the Kurds, who are confident of victory and suspect delaying tactics by opponents intent on keeping the land, and the oil.

The New York Times

Getting onto the plane itself can seem to be an accomplishment, given the lack of audible announcements, working signboards or uniformed employees with knowledge of just how long the inevitable delay will last.

The New York Times

The occurrence of a time lag the inevitable delay between every decision to invest and the outcome of that investment provides a second reason for expecting cyclical fluctuations to occur in any economic process.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite the inevitable delay in carrying out the ruling, union officials greeted Judge West's decision jubilantly and said it would give them a significant lift in their effort to unionize the North Carolina plant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

PACKED planes, long security lines, inevitable delays.

The New York Times - Travel

The inevitable delays at baggage -- not to mention the out-of-order luggage cart dispensers.

The New York Times

There were inevitable delays and cost overruns; at various times, the project seemed on the verge of collapse.

The New Yorker

You can't control the inevitable delays, but you can look good as you sweat out your connecting flight.

The New York Times

When they did, New Yorkers familiar with the industry steeled themselves for the inevitable "delays" and "cost overruns".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inevitable delay", ensure the context clearly establishes why the delay is unavoidable. Specificity enhances the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "inevitable delay" as a blanket excuse without explaining the cause. Providing context adds credibility and prevents misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inevitable delay" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "inevitable" modifies the noun "delay". This construction serves to emphasize the unavoidable nature of a particular delay as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inevitable delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that indicates a delay that cannot be avoided. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and use across various sources like news, scientific publications, and formal business communications. While not exceedingly frequent, it's well-understood and serves to manage expectations or explain unavoidable postponements. When using this phrase, ensure context is provided to highlight why the delay is, in fact, inevitable. Remember, being specific enhances the phrase's impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unavoidable postponement

Emphasizes the impossibility of preventing the delay.

unforeseeable holdup

Highlights the unexpected nature of the delay while still implying inescapability.

expected lag

Focuses on the anticipation of a delay, suggesting it's factored into planning.

certain deferment

Indicates a guaranteed postponement of something.

inescapable setback

Highlights the hindering nature of the delay, emphasizing its inescapability.

predetermined pause

Suggests the delay was set in advance and cannot be altered.

fated interruption

Implies the delay was destined to happen.

necessary waiting period

Indicates that waiting is a requirement and therefore unavoidable.

inescapable wait

A more concise way to express the impossibility of avoiding the waiting time.

certain waiting

Similar to 'expected lag', highlights the certainty of waiting.

FAQs

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

You can use "inevitable delay" to describe situations where a postponement is unavoidable, such as: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there will be an inevitable delay in the project's completion."

What are some alternatives to "inevitable delay"?

Alternatives include "unavoidable postponement", "expected lag", or "inescapable setback", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "unavoidable inevitable delay"?

Yes, using both "unavoidable" and "inevitable" is redundant because they convey the same meaning. Choose one for conciseness.

What's the difference between "inevitable delay" and a "preventable delay"?

"Inevitable delay" refers to a delay that cannot be avoided, while a "preventable delay" suggests that measures could have been taken to avoid or minimize the delay. They are opposite in meaning.