ongoing delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"ongoing delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been continuously delayed or is in the process of being delayed. For example, "The ongoing delay of the project has caused many delays in the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Thompson told the Guardian he was delighted to hear that his case had been raised in parliament, but was increasingly concerned about the ongoing delay in treatment.

The Guardian

"She is frankly tortured (not too strong a word) by this ongoing delay," Greg Nott, Semenya's lead lawyer, said in an e-mail message from South Africa on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Jeremy Corbyn has hit straight back at criticism from Tony Blair, saying the former Labour Prime Minister's "big problem" is the ongoing delay in the publication of the Iraq Inquiry.

Independent

"Wowi" had been rumoured in 2009 as his party's candidate to run against Angela Merkel in the German federal elections, but in recent years his popularity levels have plummeted dramatically, mainly due to the ongoing delay of the Berlin Brandenburg airport.

The Guardian

It was a call to action in May, more than past administrations had done, and it was just a start — all the more reason why ongoing delay in these perilous times is extremely risky.

TechCrunch

Nevertheless, the National Labor Relations Boards' ongoing delay in ruling on the Northwestern case is unfortunate because it has facilitated further delays in changing the status quo for college athletes.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Due to the ongoing delays, it has provided these free as a gesture of goodwill.

The Guardian - Money

As many as 120 truckloads of stationery were "stranded" in the West Bank and Israel due to "ongoing delays in approval".

The Guardian

It was due to open mid-March; mystery still surrounds its ongoing delays and what exactly will happen within its cavernous halls.

The Guardian - Arts

He was forced to apologise but has since been proved right by the ongoing delays to the completion of World Cup venues.

The Guardian - Sport

Trump's ongoing delays in filling these positions permanently have created yet another ethics issue, as these temporary appointees cycle in and out of government.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ongoing delay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and the cause, if known. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides a clearer understanding of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "ongoing delay" without clearly stating what is being delayed. For instance, instead of saying "There's an ongoing delay", specify "There's an ongoing delay in the project timeline", to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ongoing delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "ongoing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "delay". It describes the state of something being continuously postponed. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ongoing delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a continuous postponement. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various writing contexts. While alternatives like "protracted delay" or "continuous postponement" exist, "ongoing delay" effectively conveys the message across various domains, including news, science, and business. Just ensure clarity by specifying what is being delayed. Analysis of usage patterns shows it's most frequent in news and media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protracted delay

Emphasizes the length of the delay.

continuous postponement

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of the delay.

persistent holdup

Implies a stubborn obstacle causing the delay.

repeated deferral

Focuses on the act of repeatedly postponing something.

chronic lateness

Suggests a habitual problem with being late.

lingering setback

Implies that the delay is a hindrance that is difficult to overcome.

unresolved deferment

Highlights the lack of resolution regarding the postponement.

extended moratorium

Refers to a formal suspension that has been prolonged.

perpetual standstill

Suggests a state of complete inactivity that continues indefinitely.

unceasing interruption

Emphasizes that the delay results from constant disruptions.

FAQs

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

You can use "ongoing delay" to describe a situation where something is continuously being postponed. For example, "The project is facing an ongoing delay due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "ongoing delay"?

Some alternatives to "ongoing delay" include "protracted delay", "continuous postponement", or "persistent holdup".

Is it redundant to say "ongoing delay"?

While "ongoing" implies continuity and "delay" implies postponement that continues for some time, the phrase "ongoing delay" is commonly used and not necessarily redundant. It emphasizes the continuous nature of the postponement.

What's the difference between "ongoing delay" and "further delay"?

"Ongoing delay" refers to a delay that is already happening and continuing, while "further delay" implies an additional delay on top of existing ones.