potential delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the possibility that something may not happen on time or as expected. For example: "We should plan for a potential delay in the delivery of the new equipment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Neither Mr. Podesta nor any of the lawmakers indicated the length of a potential delay.

The New York Times

That is the wrong information," Wenger replied when asked about a potential delay in Wilshere's return.

Independent

The news is negative on two fronts: a potential delay in capital return and also likely higher separation costs.

The Guardian - Business

It emerged on Tuesday that Fifa faces months if not years of potential delay to the publication of the file.

The Guardian - Sport

The Autopsy Service will work with the funeral home or cremation service to try to minimize any potential delay.

Yale University

The other potential delay is opposition from the players, who brought an anti trust suit against this merger.

The New York Times

That is a preemptive move to allow extra floor time for other potential delay tactics by Republicans on health care.

The Washington Post

The potential delay means that some students will continue to take classes in makeshift spaces carved out of dining halls, gymnasiums and libraries.

The New York Times

"Every time I see someone throw a coffee cup onto the track in the morning, all I think about is the potential delay," she said last week.

The New York Times

Now the company has to decide whether to risk a potential delay in the product introduction to replace Internet Explorer with Netscape Navigator in the Compuserve software.

The New York Times

The Sunday Times, which first reported news of the investment, said Monzo's board of directors have already approved the American's cash injection, but warned of a potential delay.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing project timelines, be sure to account for any "potential delay" by including buffer time in your schedule. This allows for unexpected problems or changes without affecting the overall deadline.

Common error

Avoid using "potential delay" when an actual delay has already occurred. "Potential delay" refers to a possibility, while "actual delay" indicates that the event has already been delayed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential delay" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, highlighting its use in expressing the possibility of an event not occurring on schedule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "potential delay" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to describe the possibility of something not happening on time. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. It serves to warn, inform, or plan for possible disruptions. While maintaining a neutral register, it's essential to distinguish it from "actual delay", which indicates that a delay has already occurred. When writing, consider accounting for any "potential delay" by including buffer time. Top authoritative sources frequently using the expression are The New York Times, The Guardian and The Washington Post.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible postponement

Replaces "delay" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the possibility of a later date.

likely setback

Highlights the negative impact of the delay, suggesting a hindrance to progress.

possible deferment

A more formal alternative to "potential delay", especially for scheduled events.

prospective holdup

Uses a more informal term for "delay", implying an interruption or obstruction.

anticipated lag

Focuses on the expected gap or interval caused by the delay.

foreseeable interruption

Emphasizes the predictability of the delay and its disruptive nature.

risk of prolongation

Highlights the risk of the delay extending the duration of something.

chance of rescheduling

Focuses on the act of changing the schedule because of an eventual delay.

imminent disruption

Highlights the disruption nature of the delay, suggesting it is expected in the near future.

contingent suspension

Implies that the activity may be suspended for a while as an unplanned event.

FAQs

How to use "potential delay" in a sentence?

You can use "potential delay" to describe a situation where something might be delayed. For example: "The project faces a "potential delay" due to weather conditions."

What can I say instead of "potential delay"?

You can use alternatives like "possible postponement", "likely setback", or "prospective holdup" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "potential delay" and "actual delay"?

"Potential delay" refers to the possibility that something might be delayed in the future, while "actual delay" means that something has already been delayed.

Is "potential delay" formal or informal language?

The phrase "potential delay" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, consider using "possible deferment" or "anticipated lag".