it might be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

"it might be delayed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that is expected but may take longer than anticipated. For example, "I expected the package to arrive today, but it might be delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

However, Judge Robinson has indicated that it might be delayed.

The New York Times

Or if parliamentary warfare has slowed the process, it might be delayed until Sunday or even later in the week.

The New York Times

His lawyers said his release could come as early as this weekend, although it might be delayed until next week.

The New York Times

The trial is set to begin on Nov. 9 in Federal District Court in White Plains, but Judge Robinson indicated Friday that it might be delayed.

The New York Times

The timetable was so abbreviated that analysts questioned whether it might be delayed and changed as more detailed rules to carry it out were negotiated.

The New York Times

HOUSTON — As BP prepared Tuesday for its most ambitious effort yet to stop the torrent of oil gushing into the Gulf of Mexico, company officials emphasized that the procedure known as a top kill had never been tried so far underwater, that it might be delayed again and that it might not succeed at all.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Its opening might be delayed a year.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When it looked like payroll might be delayed another time, TransCare sent sample questions and answers to managers, "to help you communicate" with frustrated employees.

The New York Times

At midweek it was unclear whether agreement might be delayed by a dispute involving the EU and the United States over some market-access privileges in China enjoyed by American Insurance Group AIGG).

The Economist

SCAF maintained that a new parliament would have no authority over the Cabinet and that a handover to civilian authority would occur only after the Presidential elections, which it at one point suggested might be delayed until as late as 2013.

The New Yorker

MR. FERRER acknowledged that certain of his social goals might be delayed, but it was hard to figure out what that meant, since he talked so enthusiastically about all of them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it might be delayed", ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it might be delayed" repeatedly without giving specific reasons or alternative timelines. This can create uncertainty and frustrate your audience. Offer possible causes for the delay or a revised schedule, if available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it might be delayed" functions as a statement of possibility regarding a future event. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase expresses uncertainty about whether something will happen on schedule.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it might be delayed" is a grammatically sound and fairly common expression used to indicate the possibility of a postponement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a versatile phrase found in various contexts, including news reports, scientific articles, and general communications. While adaptable, it's best practice to offer context or alternatives timelines to reduce uncertainty. If you want to offer similar ideas, options include ""it could be postponed"" or “"there could be a postponement"”. Keep in mind while communicating with this phrase that clearly identifying to what "it" refers is crucial for unambiguous communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it could be postponed

Replaces "might" with "could", indicating a similar level of possibility but with a slightly different nuance.

it may be pushed back

Uses the phrasal verb "pushed back" to convey the idea of delaying something.

it's potentially deferred

Replaces "delayed" with "deferred", implying a more formal or official postponement.

a delay is possible

Changes the structure to emphasize the possibility of a delay, rather than stating it as a conditional.

there could be a postponement

Similar to "a delay is possible" but uses "postponement" instead of "delay".

it is subject to rescheduling

Highlights the uncertainty and the potential need for rescheduling.

it's liable to be rescheduled

Emphasizes the probability of rescheduling due to unforeseen circumstances.

it is not certain to happen on time

Indicates uncertainty about the timing rather than explicitly stating a delay.

the timing is uncertain

Focuses on the uncertainty of the timing, implying a possible delay.

it's up in the air

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate that the timing is uncertain and could be subject to change.

FAQs

How can I use "it might be delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "it might be delayed" when talking about an event, delivery, or task that is scheduled but has a possibility of being postponed. For example, "The shipment was expected today, but "it might be delayed" due to weather conditions."

What's a more formal way to say "it might be delayed"?

In a formal context, you could say "its commencement may be subject to postponement" or "there is a possibility of a delay in its implementation". These options provide a more professional tone.

Which is correct, "it might be delayed" or "it may be delayed"?

Both "it might be delayed" and "it may be delayed" are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to achieve. Some may perceive "may" as slightly more formal.

What can I say instead of "it might be delayed" to soften the news?

To soften the impact, you can use phrases like "we anticipate a slight adjustment to the schedule" or "there could be a marginal extension to the timeline". Another alternative is "it could be postponed", which frames the situation as a possibility rather than a certainty.