possible delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possible delayed" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "possibly delayed"? You can use "possibly delayed" when discussing the potential for a delay in a situation or event. Example: "The delivery of your package may be possibly delayed due to bad weather conditions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Possible delayed complications include dislocation of the new joint, breaking or loosening of the prosthesis and stiffening of the tissues around the joint.

The New York Times - Health

That could be what Dr. Katz calls "active surveillance with possible delayed intervention" should the cancer start to grow, or for someone like the elderly New Yorker who wanted the cancer out, a relatively new procedure called cryosurgery.

The New York Times - Health

Hidalgo-Clyne finished the game but developed mild symptoms of a possible delayed concussion.

BBC

The article at hand presents this new technology briefly and focuses on the issue of possible delayed ettringite formation which might compromise concrete durability.

Construction and Building Materials

To account for possible delayed effects of law implementation and residential fire death, we created 12-month and 24-month lag function.

Injury Epidemiology

Moreover, those models allowed to detect possible delayed reactions among variables, which were deemed to be particularly relevant in the analysis of price transmission mechanisms, as price adjustments often were distant in time from each other.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

If possible, delay the surgery until the NOAC reaches trough concentration.

BioMed Research International

IF possible, delay the confrontation for a few minutes.

WikiHow

However, if it is possible, delay the bad news until a time when the other person is available and receptive.

WikiHow

News of the possible delay was not unexpected.

The New York Times

The possible delays were first reported by Bloomberg on Monday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "possibly delayed" or "potentially delayed" instead of "possible delayed" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "The flight is possibly delayed" instead of "The flight is possible delayed".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective "possible" to directly modify a verb in participle form (e.g., "delayed"). Instead, use the adverb "possibly" to correctly modify the verb: "The event is possibly delayed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible delayed" functions as an incorrect adjectival phrase attempting to modify a past participle. In correct English, an adverb should modify a verb, as highlighted by Ludwig's observation of its ungrammaticality.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

36%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possible delayed" is frequently found in diverse contexts, including science and news media, yet it is grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig, the correct phrasing would be "possibly delayed" or "potentially delayed", employing an adverb to modify the past participle. Though common, the incorrect usage detracts from effective communication, especially in formal settings. Therefore, it's crucial to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to accurately express the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially delayed

This alternative uses an adverb to modify 'delayed', making it grammatically sound and very close in meaning.

possibly delayed

Replaces "possible" with "possibly", correcting the grammar while keeping the meaning almost identical.

may be delayed

Uses a modal verb to express the possibility of a delay, which is grammatically correct and widely understood.

could be delayed

Similar to "may be delayed", this uses "could" to indicate the potential for a delay.

subject to delay

This phrase indicates that something is at risk of being delayed.

liable to be delayed

Indicates a higher probability of delay compared to 'may be delayed'.

at risk of delay

Emphasizes the vulnerability to delay.

prone to delays

Suggests a habitual or inherent tendency to experience delays.

with potential for delay

Rephrases to emphasize the presence of potential delays rather than a definite occurrence.

facing potential delays

Indicates that delays are anticipated or expected as a possibility.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "possible delayed"?

No, the correct phrasing is "possibly delayed". "Possible" is an adjective, while "possibly" is an adverb that correctly modifies the verb "delayed".

What is the difference between "possible delayed" and "possibly delayed"?

"Possible delayed" is grammatically incorrect. The adverb "possibly" should be used to modify the verb "delayed", as in "possibly delayed".

What are some alternatives to "possible delayed"?

Alternatives include "potentially delayed", "may be delayed", or "could be delayed", all of which are grammatically correct.

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

You can use "possibly delayed" in a sentence like: "The start of the meeting is "possibly delayed" due to the speaker's late arrival".