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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
likely delayed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "likely delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to be postponed or take longer than anticipated. Example: "Due to the severe weather conditions, the flight is likely delayed."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(19)
prone to postponement
subject to delays
subject to rescheduling
presumably delayed
liable to be postponed
at risk of being delayed
might be deferred
subject to postponement
could be delayed
potentially delayed
under threat of delay
likely to be postponed
facing potential delays
possibly postponed
maybe deferred
may be impeded
eventually delayed
perhaps delayed
probably delayed
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
10 human-written examples
Spain reported Monday that its economy contracted in the first quarter, pulling the country into recession as deep government spending cuts to reduce a huge budget deficit and troubles in its banking sector most likely delayed any return to growth.
News & Media
The milestone will be likely delayed by three days, such that the mobile crane is not available when required.
Science
Plans to begin pushing it to users early next week are likely delayed until the company gets to the root of the issue.
News & Media
The remaining increase was likely delayed until the weekend and therefore not seen in Chitika's data because people wanted to wait for positive reviews of Google Maps for iOS 6, or they didn't have time to do the lengthy OS update and stare at a loading bar during the work week.
News & Media
But even this was subject to more delays as the detailed specifications had to be approved and this didn't occur until 31 August 1948, likely delayed by the Tito Stalin split and the start of the Berlin Blockade, both in June.
Wiki
Thus, border controls likely delayed the epidemic by only a few days, even assuming few imported cases were missed altogether.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
This week's agreement is already months behind schedule, and Pyongyang will likely delay, obfuscate and demand a lot more.
News & Media
A second recount will be held in the race for governor, most likely delaying the final result until Christmas.
News & Media
That is a start date that would likely delay the initial trading until early or mid-June.
News & Media
The state department said at the time that the review, including a search for alternate routes across Nebraska, would likely delay a final decision until 2013.
News & Media
Her lawyer, Andrew Siben, said that the Poxons' case should be covered by insurance, but that the bankruptcy would most likely delay its conclusion.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "likely delayed" to communicate an expected postponement, particularly when there's a reasonable basis for anticipating the delay. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
Common error
Avoid using "likely" excessively in successive clauses. For instance, instead of saying "The project is likely delayed and likely to cost more", rephrase it as "The project is likely delayed, and increased costs are anticipated" for a more polished and concise expression.
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "likely delayed" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing a state of expected postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and suitable for describing situations where a delay is anticipated.
Frequent in
News & Media
48%
Science
40%
Wiki
12%
Less common in
Formal & Business
0%
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "likely delayed" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-toned phrase used to indicate an anticipated postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its suitability for various writing contexts. While not exceedingly common, its frequency is notable in news and scientific domains. For alternative expressions, consider "probably postponed" or "expected to be late". Overall, "likely delayed" serves as a clear and practical way to communicate potential scheduling changes.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
probably postponed
Replaces "likely" with "probably", indicating a slightly higher degree of certainty regarding the postponement.
expected to be late
Focuses on the lateness aspect, highlighting that something will not arrive or occur on time.
anticipated to be pushed back
Emphasizes the action of delaying something to a later time.
projected to be rescheduled
Suggests a formal reassignment of a planned event to a later date.
foreseen to be deferred
Implies a more formal postponement, often for a significant period.
liable to be adjourned
Focuses on the formal suspension of a meeting or legal proceeding.
contingent on rescheduling
Highlights that something depends on the act of rescheduling to occur.
subject to deferment
Indicates that something can be officially postponed under certain conditions.
prone to postponement
Suggests a tendency for something to be delayed, highlighting its unreliable scheduling.
delayed potentially
Reorders the phrase while retaining its core meaning, emphasizing the possibility of a delay.
FAQs
What does "likely delayed" mean?
"Likely delayed" indicates that something is expected to be postponed or take longer than initially planned. It suggests a reasonable expectation of a delay, without absolute certainty.
How can I use "likely delayed" in a sentence?
You can use "likely delayed" to describe events, projects, or any situation where a delay is anticipated. For instance, "Due to the weather, the flight is "likely delayed"."
What are some alternatives to "likely delayed"?
Alternatives include "probably postponed", "expected to be late", or "anticipated to be pushed back". The best choice depends on the context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey. Explore "probably postponed" or "expected to be late" for additional context and nuance.
Is it grammatically correct to say "likely delayed"?
Yes, "likely delayed" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective modifying a noun (understood) or as part of a predicate after a linking verb (e.g., "The meeting is "likely delayed".").
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested