initial delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a delay that occurs at the beginning of a process or event. Example: "Due to an initial delay in the project timeline, we will need to adjust our deadlines accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3.12pm: Sorry for the initial delay.

The Guardian

The initial delay was a mere hour or two.

The New York Times

client: add "Suspending computation" messages for system idle and initial delay cases.

University of California, Berkeley

There was a brief, initial delay — two people said it was about 20 minutes — before Woods was allowed to leave.

The Washington Post

As a result, it requires less silicon area and it has less initial delay.

Signal Processing

After an initial delay when nobody realised the extent of the disaster, the government's response was quick and efficient.

The Economist

After an initial delay caused by high winds, his body was recovered by search crews and a police helicopter today.

Independent

In 2006, lawmakers passed rules intended to require companies to fully fund their pensions over seven years, after an initial delay.

The New York Times

"The stock had traded off nearly 40percentt since the time of the initial delay," said Jack Murphy, a food retailing analyst at Credit Suisse First Boston.

The New York Times

Tlat is the point of intersection of the tangent at the inflection point of the 13CO2 excretion curve representing an initial delay in the excretion curve.

Nature

The agency has proposed extending the initial delay to two years; the court will hold a hearing on that suspension separately.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting project timelines, quantify the "initial delay" with specific durations to provide clarity and manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid attributing ongoing delays solely to the "initial delay" without investigating other potential factors that contribute to the prolonged timeline. Differentiate between the initial cause and subsequent compounding issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial delay" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a period of postponement or setback occurring at the beginning of an event or process. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is widely understood and accepted in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

32%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to describe a setback at the beginning of a process or event. With a neutral formality level, it's appropriate for diverse contexts, including scientific, news, and academic domains. While alternatives like "preliminary delay" or "early setback" exist, "initial delay" remains a clear and widely accepted choice for conveying the concept of an early postponement. Understanding how to quantify and contextualize the "initial delay" is key to effective communication in project management and reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary delay

Replaces "initial" with "preliminary", indicating a preparatory or introductory delay.

early setback

Substitutes "delay" with "setback", emphasizing a hindrance or reversal at the beginning.

starting lag

Uses "lag" instead of "delay", highlighting a period of falling behind at the start.

incipient pause

Replaces "initial delay" with "incipient pause", focusing on the beginning stage of the interruption

first holdup

Changes "delay" to "holdup", denoting an obstruction or impediment that happens early on.

primary deferment

Substitutes "delay" with "deferment", suggesting a postponement at the beginning.

original postponement

Replaces "delay" with "postponement", clarifying the act of delaying something at its origin.

introductory waiting period

Uses "waiting period" to emphasize the time spent waiting at the beginning.

opening hiatus

Replaces "delay" with "hiatus", focusing on a break or interruption at the start.

outset interruption

Replaces "initial delay" with "outset interruption", stressing that the break occurs right from the beginning.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial delay" to describe a setback at the beginning of a process or event. For example: "The project experienced an "initial delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What is a good alternative to "initial delay"?

Alternatives include "preliminary delay", "early setback", or "starting lag" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "initial delay"?

While "delay" often implies a starting point, "initial delay" can be useful for emphasis or to distinguish it from later delays in a sequence of events.

What's the difference between "initial delay" and "subsequent delay"?

"Initial delay" refers to the first delay encountered, while "subsequent delay" describes any delays that occur afterward.