it was delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'it was delayed' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used whenever someone or something failed to arrive or to happen at its expected or scheduled time. For example: We were supposed to have our lunch at 12:00 but it was delayed until 12:30.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It was delayed until 1600, and then delayed again and then again.

BBC

It was delayed anyway.

The New York Times - Travel

Then it was delayed.

The New Yorker

Then it was delayed again.

The New Yorker

It was delayed another four hours today by shifting winds.

The New York Times

For one thing, it was delayed a night.

The New Yorker

But it was delayed and delayed and delayed.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I was relieved that it was delayed... until it was delayed a further two times, eventually departing ten hours after its scheduled time.

Huffington Post

"It was delayed, but now it's taking place with a vengeance".

The New York Times

Some of those critics said the program failed because it was delayed and limited.

The New York Times

It was delayed for eight years and paid just before the Fifa presidential elections.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was delayed" to clearly communicate that an event, action, or process did not occur at its originally scheduled time. Specify the reason for the delay when possible to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was delayed" when you actually mean "it was denied" or "it was rejected". "Delayed" implies a temporary postponement, while "denied" indicates a final refusal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was delayed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something experienced a delay. Ludwig AI examples show its use in describing postponed events, decisions, or actions. This construction shifts the focus from the actor to the entity experiencing the delay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was delayed" is a common and grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something did not occur at its originally scheduled time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable across various contexts, though more formal settings might sometimes call for more precise language. Its frequency is high, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources, reflecting its widespread applicability. When using this phrase, it's important to provide context about the reason for the delay to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been postponed

Emphasizes that the delay occurred at some point in the past.

it experienced a delay

Replaces the passive voice with a more direct statement about the subject.

it was put off

Uses a phrasal verb to indicate postponement.

there was a postponement

Uses a noun form of delay, focusing on the act of postponing.

it was rescheduled

Highlights that a new schedule has been made.

it didn't happen on time

Simplifies the expression to highlight the lack of timeliness.

its start was pushed back

Focuses on the starting time being moved to a later point.

its timing was changed

Focuses on the act of the time being modified.

it suffered a setback

Indicates the delay was a hindrance or problem.

it was held up

Conveys a sense of being আটকে or hindered.

FAQs

How can I use "it was delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "it was delayed" to describe something that didn't happen on time. For example, "The flight /s/flight+was+delayed due to bad weather" or "The meeting /s/meeting+was+delayed until next week".

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

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "the event /s/event+has+been+postponed", "the process /s/process+was+subject+to+delay", or "there /s/there+was+a+deferral of the decision".

What can I say instead of "it was delayed" to imply a longer or indefinite postponement?

If you want to suggest a potentially long or indefinite delay, you could say "it /s/it+was+put+on+hold", "it /s/it+was+suspended", or "it /s/it+was+indefinitely+postponed".

Is "it was delayed" the same as "it is delayed"?

No, "it was delayed" refers to something that was delayed in the past, while "it is delayed" refers to something that is currently delayed. For example, "The flight was delayed yesterday" vs "The flight is delayed right now".