may be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'may be delayed' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to be postponed or take a longer amount of time than expected. For example: "The arrival of the shipment may be delayed due to inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Symptoms may be delayed.

Princeton University

Chrysler's escape from bankruptcy may be delayed.

The New Yorker

But this appreciation may be delayed.

The New Yorker

The opening is scheduled for tomorrow, but may be delayed.

The New York Times - Food

Conclusions may be delayed because one box was damaged.

The Guardian

There are some cases where the window may be delayed.

Stanford University

SAT scores may be delayed for a variety of reasons.

The Washington Post

Treatment may be delayed while attention focuses on concomitant injuries.

Journal of Vascular Surgery

If they are granted permission to appeal, the planned eviction may be delayed.

The Guardian

Major action may be delayed fire or ten years, but it may begin at any moment.

The New Yorker

The Americans are eager to conclude the matter, but that action may be delayed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be specific about the cause of the potential delay. Providing a reason, such as "due to unforeseen circumstances" or "pending further review", adds clarity and transparency.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice when using "may be delayed". Instead of saying "the project may be delayed by the team", opt for a more direct construction like "the team may delay the project" for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be delayed" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing a possibility or likelihood of a future event being postponed. Ludwig examples show it frequently used to indicate uncertainty about schedules or timelines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

23%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may be delayed" is a versatile expression used to indicate the possibility of a future event being postponed. As Ludwig highlights, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. The phrase is grammatically sound and serves the purpose of managing expectations by conveying uncertainty. When using this phrase, consider providing context and exploring synonyms like "could be postponed" or "might be deferred" for variety and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be postponed

Replaces "may" with "could", indicating a similar level of possibility, and "delayed" with "postponed", a direct synonym.

might be deferred

Substitutes "may" with "might", another modal verb expressing possibility, and replaces "delayed" with "deferred", suggesting a temporary postponement.

is subject to postponement

Transforms the phrase into a more formal, passive construction, highlighting the possibility of being postponed.

is liable to be held up

Replaces "delayed" with "held up", conveying a similar meaning of being stopped or slowed down.

could experience setbacks

Uses a broader term, "setbacks", to imply delays, changing the sentence structure to accommodate the new phrase.

is at risk of being pushed back

Highlights the risk aspect of a delay, using "pushed back" as a synonym for "delayed".

potentially rescheduled

Focuses on the rescheduling aspect, implying a delay that leads to a new schedule.

faces potential rescheduling

Like the previous one, underlines the rescheduling, with a little bit change in the structure.

subject to rescheduling

A shorter, more direct version emphasizing the likelihood of rescheduling due to potential delays.

encounters a possible holdup

Implies the holdup concept, that the action cannot be performed.

FAQs

How can I use "may be delayed" in a sentence?

Use "may be delayed" to indicate a possibility of postponement. For example, "The shipment "may be delayed" due to weather conditions".

What are some alternatives to "may be delayed"?

Alternatives include "could be postponed", "might be deferred", or "subject to postponement", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "may be delayed" or "will be delayed"?

"May be delayed" indicates a possibility, while "will be delayed" implies certainty. Choose based on the level of confidence you have about the delay. If you are unsure, "may be delayed" is the better choice.

What is the difference between "delayed" and "postponed"?

"Delayed" generally means temporarily held up, while "postponed" suggests rescheduling to a later time. While often interchangeable, "postponed" implies a new, definite date, whereas "delayed" might mean the new date is uncertain.