lead to delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lead to delays" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing causes or factors that result in postponements or slower progress in a process or project. Example: "The unexpected weather conditions may lead to delays in the construction schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Unfortunately, these early indistinct clinical features lead to delays in recognizing the diagnosis and initiating treatment, leading to poor neurologic outcomes and overall survival.

Application of Clinical Genetics

This can lead to delays.

The New York Times

This might lead to delays in integration.

The Guardian

This may lead to delays in diagnosis and needless suffering.

Harvard University

That could lead to delays in missions currently scheduled for October and December, Mr. Hale said.

The New York Times - Science

Could even lead to delays or cancellations if there's no breeze at all.

The Guardian - Sport

Confusion about symptoms can also lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment.

The New York Times - Health

That, in turn, could lead to delays by clients in making all kinds of economic decisions.

The New York Times

But deep concerns about how it would work could still lead to delays.

The New York Times

Time delays and errors exist which lead to delays in patient care and misdiagnosis.

Radiography

Now some in Congress are worried that the increased demand could lead to delays in getting the coupons to consumers.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lead to delays", ensure the sentence clearly identifies the cause and the specific delays it creates. For instance, "Insufficient planning can lead to delays in project completion."

Common error

Avoid using "lead to delays" without specifying the context or nature of the delays. Instead of saying, "The new policy will lead to delays", specify which processes or timelines will be affected, such as "The new policy will lead to delays in permit approvals".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lead to delays" functions as a causal verb phrase, indicating that a preceding action, event, or situation will result in postponements or slowdowns. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lead to delays" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes a cause-and-effect relationship where something results in postponements. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, including science, news, and academic writing. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to provide specific details about the nature of the delays to avoid vague statements. Alternatives like "result in delays" or "cause delays" can be used for stylistic variation. Understanding its usage patterns and common errors will help ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

result in delays

Replaces "lead to" with "result in", maintaining the cause-and-effect relationship.

cause delays

Uses "cause" as the verb, directly stating the reason for the delays.

give rise to delays

Emphasizes the origin or source of the delays.

contribute to delays

Suggests the factor is one of several influencing the delays.

bring about delays

Highlights the action of causing delays.

prompt delays

Indicates the factor immediately triggers the delays.

precipitate delays

Suggests a sudden or unexpected onset of delays.

generate delays

Focuses on the creation or production of delays.

incur delays

Shifts the focus to experiencing or suffering delays.

beget delays

Implies delays create further delays, suggesting a cycle.

FAQs

What does "lead to delays" mean?

The phrase "lead to delays" means to cause postponements, slowdowns, or holdups in a process or activity. It indicates that a particular action or situation will result in something taking longer than expected.

How can I use "lead to delays" in a sentence?

You can use "lead to delays" by clearly identifying the cause and the effect: "Lack of funding can "lead to delays" in research progress."

What can I say instead of "lead to delays"?

You can use alternatives like "result in delays", "cause delays", or "give rise to delays", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "lead to delays" or "cause delays"?

Both "lead to delays" and "cause delays" are correct. "Cause delays" is more direct, while "lead to delays" can imply a more gradual or indirect effect. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.