potential delays

USAGE SUMMARY

"potential delays" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to possible or anticipated delays. Example: The construction company informed us of potential delays in the completion of the project due to inclement weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Met Office warning advised people to "be aware of potential delays and hazardous driving conditions".

The Guardian

This "presages huge potential delays and, in fact, the paralysis [of the tribunal]", the court said.

The Guardian

Services like www.flightstats.com and www.flightaware.com can help you gauge potential delays.

The New York Times

By gauging all parties' risk of failure, you identify potential delays and can set expectations accordingly.

Harvard Business Review

In a field that has such incredible potential, delays are hard to live with.

The Guardian

The Monday morning flight isn't available, but with potential delays, you'd be cutting it close anyway.

Harvard Business Review

However, for federal employees who applied to retire during the shutdown period, there are potential delays.

The Washington Post

Train commuters have also been warned about potential delays in the afternoon.

The Guardian

And most recently, what are we going to do about potential delays at airports?

The Washington Post

After the planes hit, Dublin Airport Irelandnd's busiest - tweeted to warn passengers of potential delays.

Independent

That is expected later next year or even in 2002, depending on weather and other potential delays.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing projects or timelines, quantify the "potential delays" if possible. For example, specify "potential delays of up to two weeks" to provide a clearer understanding of the risk.

Common error

Avoid using "potential delays" as a vague warning. Always provide context or a possible cause for the delay to make the information more actionable. For instance, instead of saying "there are potential delays", specify "potential delays due to supply chain issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "potential delays" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "potential" modifies the noun "delays". It identifies possible, but not certain, postponements or hold-ups. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "potential delays" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to possible future hold-ups or postponements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and usable phrase in English writing. It’s frequently found in contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and business communications. When using "potential delays", it’s important to provide context to clarify the nature and possible causes of the delays. Alternatives include "possible delays" and "anticipated delays", but the best choice will always depend on the nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possible delays

Replaces "potential" with its direct synonym "possible", maintaining the same meaning.

likely delays

Substitutes "potential" with "likely", suggesting a higher probability of occurrence.

anticipated delays

Uses "anticipated" to emphasize the expectation or prediction of delays.

expected delays

Replaces "potential" with "expected", indicating that delays are foreseen.

possible hold-ups

Replaces "delays" with "hold-ups", offering a more informal synonym.

projected delays

Uses "projected" to suggest that delays have been estimated or forecasted.

forecasted delays

Substitutes "potential" with "forecasted", implying delays predicted based on available data.

foreseeable delays

Replaces "potential" with "foreseeable", emphasizing the predictability of the delays.

future delays

Uses "future" to simply indicate that the delays are expected to occur at a later time.

impending delays

Replaces "potential" with "impending", suggesting that delays are imminent or about to happen.

FAQs

How can I use "potential delays" in a sentence?

You can use "potential delays" to refer to possible hold-ups or postponements in various contexts. For example, "The project faces "potential delays" due to weather conditions".

What is a synonym for "potential delays"?

Synonyms for "potential delays" include "possible delays", "anticipated delays", or "likely delays". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Are "potential delays" always negative?

While "potential delays" often carry a negative connotation, indicating disruptions or setbacks, the impact can be neutral or even positive if the delay allows for better planning or risk mitigation. Context is essential in determining the ultimate effect.

What factors can cause "potential delays"?

"Potential delays" can stem from various sources, including unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters, logistical issues, regulatory hurdles, or internal factors such as resource constraints and miscommunication. Identifying these risks early is crucial for effective project management.