might have delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "might have delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility that something was postponed or slowed down in the past. Example: "The heavy rain might have delayed the flight schedule, causing many passengers to miss their connections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

It might have delayed its cuts a little longer.

The Economist

Shutting down production to debug everything properly might have delayed the launch in Europe or Japan.

The Guardian - Tech

Such a strategy might have delayed Serena, but it could never defeat her.

The Guardian - Sport

Cutting horses' oat rations might have delayed their replacement by tractors, but it wouldn't have stopped it.

The New York Times

He might have delayed his departure to see the mission to its end; Bill Clinton certainly wanted him to stay.

The New Yorker

The truck I drove was unladen, but had we been towing or climbing, the truck's computer might have delayed the changeover until we decelerated, Mr. Johnson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Some Democrats said Mr. Bush had stepped into a trap left by Mr. Clinton, whose last-minute actions forced the new administration to grapple immediately with many charged issues it might otherwise have delayed, especially those involving labor and the environment.

The New York Times

It might theoretically have delayed Iran's bomb programme by a year or so, – assuming we know everything about that programme – and thus bought some time to get a better and more definitive agreement with Tehran.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, in that case the patient was under peritoneal dialysis and peritoneal dialysis might well have delayed the development of ascites and the diagnosis [ 22].

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Although this solution seems rather obvious and has been discussed by laboratory experts, regulators, and diagnostic companies for many years, the lack of data quantifying the limitations of the current regulatory process might well have delayed implementation.

Circulation

This delay of activity may be indicative of the need for a loading dose or the extract might have a delayed onset of action.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "might have delayed", ensure the context clearly indicates what event or action was potentially delayed and the possible reason for the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "might have delayed" when a definite delay occurred and is known. Use a more certain phrase like "definitely delayed" or "was delayed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "might have delayed" functions as a modal verb construction expressing a past possibility or speculation regarding a postponement or slowdown. As Ludwig AI highlights, the construction is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "might have delayed" is a common and grammatically correct construction used to express a possible delay in past events. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's frequently found in news, scientific, and business contexts. Alternatives such as "could have postponed" or "may have slowed down" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, clarify what was delayed and why to avoid ambiguity. The phrase holds a neutral tone and is suitable for various communication needs, but always ensure the certainty of an event before speculating about the possibility of a delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could have postponed

Indicates a possibility of pushing something to a later time.

may have slowed down

Suggests the possibility that something's progress was made slower.

could have hindered

Emphasizes the potential for obstruction or impedance.

might have impeded

Highlights a potential obstruction that made something difficult.

could have set back

Suggests a temporary reversal or slowdown.

may have put off

Implies a postponement to a later date.

might have forestalled

Suggests preventing something from happening as soon.

could have deferred

Indicates a postponement to a future time.

may have adjourned

Suggests a formal postponement.

could have held up

Implies causing a delay.

FAQs

How to use "might have delayed" in a sentence?

Use "might have delayed" to express a possibility that something was postponed or slowed down in the past. For example: "The traffic jam "might have delayed" his arrival."

What can I say instead of "might have delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "could have postponed", "may have slowed down", or "could have hindered" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "might have delayed" or "might delayed"?

"Might have delayed" is correct. The auxiliary verb "have" requires the past participle form of the main verb, which is "delayed". "Might delayed" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "might have delayed" and "may have delayed"?

The difference is subtle. Both express possibility, but "might have delayed" can suggest a slightly lower probability than "may have delayed". They are often interchangeable.