keep delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep delays" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to suggest maintaining or managing delays, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "We need to keep delays to a minimum to ensure the project stays on schedule."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The EU261 rules are designed to knock the airlines into shape, and keep delays to a minimum, argue their proponents.

The Guardian - Business

"This is in order to keep delays to a minimum in deference to the impact this could have on the family of Mr Rigg.

Independent

"We will not compromise border security but work closely with airport operators to keep delays to a minimum".

BBC

"Escalation plans have been activated and staff across the hospital are working closely with colleagues from WAST to keep delays to a minimum".

BBC

He said: "We know buses will get caught in traffic and we have got plenty of standby buses to keep delays at a minimum, and keep people on the move the best we can.

BBC

"We recognise that maintaining strong border security is a priority but we also want to see sufficient resources available to meet passenger demand and keep delays to a minimum at the busiest times.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"They keep delaying and delaying on a contract.

The New York Times

"There is no reason why we keep delaying and delaying and delaying".

The New York Times

"They just keep delaying," Mr. Bloomberg said to the radio program's host, John Gambling.

The New York Times

The cost of health care eats up more and more of our savings each year, yet we keep delaying reform.

The New York Times

"They'll delay it, then they'll keep delaying it for the next three to four years," said Afaf Ali, 19, a student sitting with friends at the Egyptian Public Library.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing managing time-sensitive tasks, replace the phrase "keep delays" with more appropriate alternatives such as "minimize delays" or "reduce delays" to ensure your message is clear and grammatically correct.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "keep delays" as it is grammatically awkward. Instead, use "minimize delays" or "reduce delays" to convey the intended meaning of lessening or controlling delays more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep delays" functions as a verb phrase where "keep" acts as a main verb attempting to manage or maintain a state related to "delays". However, Ludwig AI indicates that it is not grammatically correct and may lack clarity in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep delays" is not grammatically correct and is considered awkward in standard English, as noted by Ludwig AI. While it appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media, it is advisable to use clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "minimize delays" or "reduce delays". These alternatives effectively convey the intended meaning of controlling or lessening delays. Given its grammatical issues, the phrase is not suitable for formal or professional writing. Understanding the intended context and choosing appropriate alternatives will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Minimize delays

Focuses on reducing delays to the smallest possible amount.

Reduce delays

Emphasizes the action of lessening or decreasing delays.

Mitigate delays

Highlights the act of alleviating or lessening the impact of delays.

Alleviate delays

Stresses the action of providing relief from delays.

Control delays

Focuses on managing and regulating delays to maintain order.

Manage delays

Emphasizes the overall handling and administration of delays.

Avoid delays

Highlights the prevention of delays from occurring.

Prevent delays

Focuses on proactively stopping delays before they start.

Curb delays

Emphasizes restraining or checking the occurrence of delays.

Check delays

Highlights monitoring and verifying to control delays.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "keep delays"?

You can use alternatives like "minimize delays", "reduce delays", or "avoid delays" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "keep delays" or "minimize delays"?

"Minimize delays" is the correct and more grammatically sound phrase. "Keep delays" is not standard English.

How can I effectively manage delays in a project?

To manage delays effectively, focus on strategies to "mitigate delays", "control delays", and "prevent delays" by planning and using appropriate resources.

Is "keep delays at bay" a correct phrase?

While understandable, "keep delays at bay" is less common and more informal. It's generally better to use phrases like "prevent delays" or "avoid delays" for clarity and conciseness.