momentary delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "momentary delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or temporary pause in an action or process. Example: "Due to a momentary delay in the delivery, the project timeline has been slightly adjusted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or it could just be a momentary delay.

The Guardian

And satellite surfing involves a momentary delay per station while the system collects and reassembles the digital bits.

Forbes

Interviews with passengers at Logan revealed that most were willing to risk the momentary delay and share personal information if it contributed to overall security.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

If you're in the market for a dependable adaptation of a New York vehicle, pick up one or two or a handful of the sturdy wooden mini-replicas of the very subway cars on which you've experienced "momentary delays," such as the Flushing Local and the Lexington Avenue Express New Yorkk Transit Museum, intersection of Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn; $9.95).

The New Yorker

Finally, we observed momentary 'indecision': delay forming any clear motor plan.

eLife

However, the delayed emergence of utilising human distal momentary pointing in wolves shows that these wild canines react to a lesser degree to intensive socialisation in contrast to dogs, which are able to control agonistic behaviours and inhibition of actions in a food related task early in development.

Plosone

Despite a half-century of military hostilities and fierce ideological competition between the two countries, not to mention the North's renowned unpredictability, officials here said they had few doubts that the delay would prove to be only a momentary setback.

The New York Times

This stereotypy likely reflects exactly the momentary "indecision" that we found in this one dataset (though we could not measure indecision in long-delay trials, since it has resolved by the time of the Go cue; see next reply).

eLife

Momentary aberration?

The Guardian - Books

This gave declarer momentary hope.

The New York Times

"Fashion is superficial, momentary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "momentary delay" when you want to emphasize the brevity and insignificance of the pause. This phrase works well in both formal and informal contexts, providing a clear and concise way to describe a short-lived interruption.

Common error

Avoid using "momentary delay" to describe delays that are actually substantial or have significant consequences. This can downplay the impact of the delay and mislead your audience. For larger setbacks, consider phrases like "significant delay" or "extended interruption."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "momentary delay" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "momentary" modifies the noun "delay". As Ludwig AI notes, it describes a brief pause or interruption. Examples show it used in contexts ranging from satellite signal processing to subway transit.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "momentary delay" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a short-lived interruption. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media, and science-related discussions. While not extremely common, the phrase is clear and effective in conveying the brevity and limited impact of the delay. When writing, consider using alternatives like "brief pause" or "short interruption" to add variety to your language. Avoid using this phrase for delays that are significant or have major consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief pause

Replaces "momentary" with "brief", emphasizing the short duration of the delay.

short interruption

Substitutes "delay" with "interruption", focusing on the disruption caused.

fleeting pause

Uses "fleeting" instead of "momentary", highlighting the ephemeral nature of the delay.

temporary suspension

Replaces both words with alternatives that suggest a halt that is not permanent.

slight setback

Focuses on the negative impact of the delay, portraying it as a minor obstacle.

passing hiccup

Uses a more informal and figurative expression for a minor disruption.

transient hold-up

Employs "transient" and "hold-up" to convey a temporary hindrance.

quick respite

Frames the delay as a short break or relief.

short-lived disruption

Highlights the temporary and disruptive nature of the event.

brief cessation

Uses more formal vocabulary to describe a temporary stop.

FAQs

How can I use "momentary delay" in a sentence?

You can use "momentary delay" to describe a brief pause in an action or process. For example: "Due to a momentary delay in the delivery, the project timeline has been slightly adjusted".

What are some alternatives to "momentary delay"?

You can use alternatives like "brief pause", "short interruption", or "fleeting pause" depending on the specific context.

Is "momentary delay" formal or informal?

"Momentary delay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its clarity and conciseness make it appropriate for a variety of settings.

When should I use "significant delay" instead of "momentary delay"?

Use "significant delay" when the delay is substantial and has notable consequences. "Momentary delay" is best used for brief and relatively minor interruptions.