period of delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"period of delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a specific amount of time when something is delayed. For example, "We apologize for the period of delay in fulfilling your order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The period of delay may be ending, but it's been useful so far.

The New York Times

"To give an even further compliance extension on top of what's already been a long period of delay is unjustified".

The New York Times - Science

"Some will not be able to sustain the cost base of skills necessary for the industry over a further period of delay".

The Guardian

"This short period of delay in submission, and the resulting transfer embargo, does not affect the business of the football club at this present time.

BBC

In England the interlocutory period is six weeks, whereas in the United States, in those states requiring that a decree of divorce be preceded by an interlocutory decree, the period of delay varies from three months to one year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To quantify the monthly inter-clinic rate (MIR), the medical reports received, their quality and the period of delay until the first second-level consultation.

Atención Primaria

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Also in Maine, the judicial branch anticipates a three- to six-week period of delaying payments to vendors and lawyers, coinciding with the term ending the fiscal year.

The New York Times

With a lot of bad blood remaining from this summer's calamitous period of delays and terrible service, the airlines, meanwhile, appear to be paying more attention to the new corporate travel department muscle-flexing -- though not by lowering fares.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Southern said the London Bridge upgrade and "infrastructure and operational issues over the year had led to a sustained period of delays and cancellations across our network", but said its performance was improving month by month.

The Guardian

Breeding occurs in the spring, except in the Western spotted skunk (S. gracilis), which breeds in the autumn but undergoes a period of delayed implantation lasting about 150 days.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His advice was to prove priceless to Hall when, after taking over the NT from Laurence Olivier in 1973, Hall found the move from the Old Vic to Denys Lasdun's South Bank concrete complex faced a nightmare period of delays and obstacles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about project timelines, use "period of delay" to clearly indicate a specific duration during which progress was hindered. Provide context on the cause and impact of the "period of delay" to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid attributing a "period of delay" to vague reasons like 'unforeseen circumstances' without providing specific details. Instead, offer transparent explanations such as 'due to unexpected equipment malfunctions' to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "period of delay" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It specifies a measurable duration during which an action or event is postponed or slowed. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "period of delay" is a noun phrase used to describe a duration of time when something is postponed. Ludwig AI indicates it's correct and usable. The phrase has a neutral to formal register and appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts. Related phrases include "time of deferment" and "interval of postponement". When using this phrase, be specific about the cause of the delay to maintain transparency. Though a correct expression, Ludwig shows that is a "rare" expression and can be substituted with the alternatives provided to get a more varied and richer text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time of deferment

Replaces "delay" with "deferment", suggesting a more formal or official postponement.

interval of postponement

Substitutes "delay" with "postponement", emphasizing the act of delaying something.

duration of inactivity

Focuses on the "inactivity" aspect of the delay, highlighting the lack of progress during that time.

spell of suspension

Implies a temporary halting of something, similar to a delay.

phase of waiting

Highlights the act of waiting as a result of the delay.

time lag

Focuses on the time between two related events when one is held back.

hiatus

A simpler term indicating a pause or gap in activity. It is less formal than the other options.

lull

Suggests a temporary pause or quiet period, implying a less active phase.

downtime

Focuses on the time when activity is reduced or stopped, often used in technical contexts.

hold-up

More informal, but implies a delay caused by an obstacle or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "period of delay" in a sentence?

You can use "period of delay" to describe a time when something is postponed or slowed down. For instance, "The project experienced a significant "period of delay" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What phrases are similar to "period of delay"?

Similar phrases include "time of deferment", "duration of inactivity", or "interval of postponement". These alternatives also refer to a time when something is not progressing as expected.

Is "period of delay" formal or informal?

"Period of delay" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. Its suitability depends on the specific context, but it is commonly used in professional and academic settings.

What's the difference between "period of delay" and "length of delay"?

"Period of delay" refers to a specific duration when something is delayed, while "length of delay" emphasizes the extent of the postponement. The distinction is subtle; "period of delay" highlights the span, whereas "length of delay" accentuates the duration itself.