massively delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "massively delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is significantly behind schedule or taking much longer than expected. Example: "The flight was massively delayed due to severe weather conditions, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

They caused havoc, and massively delayed proceedings.

The Economist

This work massively delayed the building's completion, but, as the Conran family motto has it, per ardua ad gastrodome.

Independent

That scheme, like another at Olkiluoto in Finland, is using an EPR like the one planned for Hinkley and is both massively delayed and over budget.

The Guardian

Maybe he will confound the doubters eventually, but you can't blame shareholders for feeling that the timing of Barclays' promised revival has been massively delayed since the chief executive's arrival in Canary Wharf.

The Guardian - Business

Radio station owners, who formed the National Association of Broadcasters in 1923, have won laws and regulations that have banned, crippled or massively delayed every major new competitive technology since the first threat emerged in 1934: FM radio.

Forbes

When waiting for your massively delayed flight, remember: no one likes a complainer, but everyone loves a conspiracy theorist in a trench coat yelling into a TCBY cup as if it were a megaphone.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

April 2013: The first visible signs of trouble start to emerge as IDS's national roll-out is massively scaled down and delayed.

The Guardian

Really ridiculously, massively long delays.

Huffington Post

Uru was originally to ship with a massively multiplayer online component, which was delayed and never integrated into the retail release.

Wikipedia

Hospital groups and physicians have warned that passing a repeal bill without a replacement could be massively disruptive, even if the repeal is delayed. .

Huffington Post

At 3 d after ischemia, the accumulation of zinc is massively increased in CA1 pyramidal neurons [26], indicating that the delayed accumulation of zinc is involved in delayed neuronal death in the gerbil brain.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "massively delayed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and the impact of the delay. For example, "The project was massively delayed, resulting in significant financial losses."

Common error

Avoid attributing a "massively delayed" outcome to minor causes. Ensure the cause is genuinely significant enough to warrant the description. Saying "The meeting was massively delayed because of a coffee spill" would be an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "massively delayed" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the state of something being significantly behind schedule. As Ludwig AI highlights, it clearly and effectively conveys the extent of the delay.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "massively delayed" is a phrase used to describe something significantly behind schedule. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media, but also appears in scientific contexts, emphasizing the severity and impact of a delay. When writing, it's essential to ensure the cause aligns with the scale of the delay. Alternatives like "extremely delayed" or "significantly postponed" can offer similar meanings with slightly different tones. The phrase is considered neutral, making it suitable for various professional and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Extremely delayed

Emphasizes the severity of the delay; comparable in intensity.

Significantly postponed

Focuses on the act of postponing and its importance.

Heavily protracted

Highlights the extended duration of the delay.

Substantially behind schedule

Directly addresses the deviation from the planned timeline.

Grossly overdue

Suggests a significant and unacceptable level of tardiness.

Considerably extended

Emphasizes that the time has stretched longer than expected.

Greatly held up

Focuses on the reason or factor that is preventing progress.

Severely protracted

Highlights the duration of the delay, with a touch of intensity.

Badly disrupted

Focuses on the negative impact and interruption caused.

A Long time coming

Implies a delay but also suggests anticipation or expectation over a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "massively delayed" in a sentence?

Use "massively delayed" to describe something experiencing a significant setback in time. For instance, "The train's arrival was massively delayed due to unforeseen track maintenance".

What are some alternatives to "massively delayed"?

Consider alternatives such as "extremely delayed", "significantly postponed", or "substantially behind schedule", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "massively delayed" in formal writing?

Yes, "massively delayed" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing the extent of the delay. However, consider alternatives like "significantly postponed" for a slightly more subdued tone.

What kind of situations typically involve something being "massively delayed"?

"Massively delayed" is often used when discussing projects, flights, construction, or any process where time is a crucial factor, and there's a large deviation from the original timeline.