only delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been postponed or held up, but not canceled or permanently affected. Example: "The flight is only delayed, so we should still be able to board soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

— not only delayed making a deal for his team, but one for the Mets as well.

The New York Times

But those plays only delayed the scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

His path was only delayed by Vacek.

The New York Times - Sports

But it only delayed the inevitable.

The Guardian - Sport

But that only delayed the evil moment.

The New York Times

Nor is that the Storm's only delayed reaction.

The New York Times - Tech

The wait only delayed the start of another depressing night.

The New York Times - Sports

His one loss of focus only delayed the inevitable.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet the likelihood is that it only delayed the inevitable.

The Guardian - Sport

But state loans and guarantees only delayed the inevitable.

The Economist

Recession has only delayed the looming energy crunch (see article).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only delayed" when you want to emphasize that an event or action has been postponed but will still occur, avoiding any implication of cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "only delayed" when you actually mean that something has been cancelled altogether. "Only delayed" suggests a temporary setback, not a permanent end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only delayed" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or degree to which something is delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only delayed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as verified by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to convey that an event or action has been temporarily postponed, but will still occur. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While alternatives like "merely postponed" or "just held up" exist, "only delayed" effectively communicates the temporary nature of the delay. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize that something is not cancelled, just briefly postponed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely postponed

Emphasizes the minor impact of the delay.

just held up

Informal way of saying something was delayed.

briefly interrupted

Highlights the short duration of the delay.

temporarily suspended

Focuses on a pause in progress, implying a formal process.

momentarily impeded

More formal, suggesting a brief obstruction.

briefly detained

Implies a short period of being kept back or delayed.

not permanently affected

Emphasizes the absence of lasting consequences despite the delay.

put off for a while

Informal way of saying something was postponed.

deferred for the time being

Formal and emphasizes the temporary nature of the delay.

slowed down briefly

Focuses on the reduction in speed rather than complete stoppage.

FAQs

How can I use "only delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "only delayed" to indicate that something has been postponed but not canceled. For example: "The flight is "only delayed", we should still be able to board soon".

What are some alternatives to saying "only delayed"?

Alternatives include "merely postponed", "just held up", or "temporarily suspended", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "only delayed" or should I use another phrase?

Saying ""only delayed"" is correct when you mean something has been postponed temporarily and will continue later. The phrase is commonly used in news and media.

What's the difference between "only delayed" and "completely canceled"?

"Only delayed" means something is postponed but will happen later, while "completely canceled" means it will not happen at all. They have opposite meanings.