much delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "much delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a significant amount of time that has passed before an action or event occurs. Example: "We apologize for the much delay in responding to your inquiry; we appreciate your patience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The payoff arrives in this band without much delay.

The New York Times - Arts

[After much delay] Oh, I'm really sorry, I can't.

The Guardian - Sport

Even the act of moving one's thumb between buttons is too much delay to bear.

The Guardian - Tech

Pakistan After much delay, Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum's report into matchfixing was published in May.

The Guardian - Sport

Judges often do not publish detailed rulings, or do so only after much delay.

The Economist

After many hearings and much delay, a "reorganization" was approved in 1946.

The New Yorker

I thought that I would then be properly dealt with and returned home without much delay".

The Guardian

After so much delay, Mr. Dunne moved into high gear, aiming to marry by last August.

The New York Times

One is almost congratulated for arriving in the office without much delay.

The New Yorker

She can, without much delay, recite any passage from the Bible or Shakespeare.

The New Yorker

Railtrack pays its customers if it causes too much delay to their trains (see article).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "much delay", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and why it matters. For instance, "After much delay, the project was finally completed" provides a clear understanding of the delay and its resolution.

Common error

While "much delay" is acceptable, overuse can make writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "considerable delay" or rephrasing the sentence to enhance readability and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "much delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "much" modifies the noun "delay". It quantifies the extent of the delay, indicating a significant or considerable amount of time has passed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "much delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a significant postponement. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overusing it and consider alternatives like "considerable delay" or "significant delay" for variety. This phrase appears most commonly in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific writing. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being delayed and its impact. By understanding its function and potential alternatives, writers can effectively use "much delay" to convey the extent and implications of a delay in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Considerable delay

Replaces "much" with "considerable", emphasizing the extent of the delay using a different adjective.

Significant delay

Substitutes "much" with "significant", highlighting the importance or impact of the delay.

Substantial delay

Similar to "considerable delay", it uses a different adjective to denote a large amount of delay.

Prolonged delay

Focuses on the extended duration of the delay.

Lengthy delay

Highlights the duration of the delay as being long.

Extensive delay

Indicates that the delay is widespread or far-reaching.

Great delay

A more informal way of saying "much delay", substituting "much" with "great".

Long wait

Shifts the focus to the waiting aspect, using a different noun.

Considerable waiting time

Expands on the idea of waiting, specifying that the time spent waiting is significant.

Significant waiting period

Similar to considerable waiting time, it emphasizes the duration of the waiting.

FAQs

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

You can use "much delay" to indicate a significant amount of time has passed before something happens. For example, "After much delay, the government finally announced the new policy."

What are some alternatives to "much delay"?

Alternatives include "considerable delay", "significant delay", or "substantial delay". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "much delay" or "long delay"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "long delay" is often preferred in more informal contexts. "Much delay" can sound more formal or emphatic, particularly when stressing the inconvenience caused by the delay.

What's the difference between "delay" and "procrastination"?

"Delay" generally refers to any postponement, while "procrastination" implies a voluntary and often unnecessary deferral of something. A "delay" may be due to external factors, whereas procrastination is usually self-imposed.