inordinate delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inordinate delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or unreasonable amount of time taken to complete a task or process. Example: "The project was stalled due to an inordinate delay in receiving the necessary approvals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But no inordinate delay is necessary in cases such as the one before us.

Cornell University

There have been many theories, conspiracy and otherwise, about the inordinate delay.

Independent

"Inordinate delay between arrest, indictment, and trial may impair a defendant's ability to present an effective defense.

Cornell University

Knight now seeks certiorari, asking us to review his claim of inordinate delay (among others)–24 years and 6 months after he was first sentenced to death.

Cornell University

He now seeks certiorari, asking us to review his claim of inordinate delay (among others)–19 years and 4 months after he was first sentenced to death.

Cornell University

Only after an inordinate delay was the revised Interpol alert passed on to the immigration department and the Australian Security Intelligence Operation (Asio).

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The inordinate delays impose heavy tolls.

The New York Times

"The No. 1 obstacle that I discovered is the inordinate delays, the unjustifiable delays," he said.

The New York Times

"The government is hardly in a position to complain that equitable tolling will result in inordinate delays".

The New York Times

After inordinate delays, the French Nile expedition set out for Africa in June 1896, under the command of Capt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, veterans seeking disability payments faced huge backlogs and inordinate delays in getting claims and appeals processed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inordinate delay", ensure the context clearly indicates the delay is excessive and problematic. Avoid using it for minor or expected delays.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate delay" when a simple "delay" suffices. "Inordinate" implies the delay is unusually long or unacceptable, so reserve it for situations where the delay is truly significant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinate delay" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "inordinate" modifies the noun "delay". Ludwig AI shows this expression appears in sentences describing legal proceedings, report publications, and medical treatments, suggesting it often emphasizes negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inordinate delay" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe an excessive or unreasonable postponement. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts, highlighting the negative implications of such delays. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the delay is genuinely significant, differentiating it from ordinary delays. Alternatives such as "excessive delay" or "unreasonable delay" can be used for similar effect, depending on the specific nuance intended. Overall, "inordinate delay" is a valuable tool for effectively conveying concern about unacceptable delays in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive delay

Replaces "inordinate" with a more common synonym, focusing on the excessiveness of the delay.

unreasonable delay

Emphasizes the lack of justification for the delay.

undue delay

Similar to "unreasonable delay", highlighting the inappropriateness of the delay.

protracted delay

Focuses on the extended length of the delay.

unwarranted delay

Highlights that the delay is not justified or deserved.

gratuitous delay

Suggests the delay is unnecessary and without reason.

needless delay

Emphasizes the lack of necessity for the delay.

lengthy delay

Focuses on the extended duration of the delay.

extended delay

Similar to "lengthy delay", but with a slightly different emphasis.

unconscionable delay

Highlights the morally unacceptable nature of the delay.

FAQs

What does "inordinate delay" mean?

"Inordinate delay" refers to a delay that is excessive, unreasonable, or unusually long in duration. It implies that the delay is more significant than a typical or expected delay.

How to use "inordinate delay" in a sentence?

You can use "inordinate delay" to describe situations where a process or task has been delayed for an unreasonably long time. For example: "The project was stalled due to an "inordinate delay" in obtaining permits."

What can I say instead of "inordinate delay"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive delay", "unreasonable delay", or "undue delay" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "delay" and "inordinate delay"?

"Delay" simply refers to a postponement or lengthening of time. "Inordinate delay" implies that the delay is excessive, unjustified, and often problematic.