probably delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is likely to be late or postponed, but without certainty. Example: "The train is probably delayed due to the heavy snowfall this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Decades of coal-mining subsidies probably delayed the Ruhr's transformation.

The Economist

Subarctic species were dominant and local successions were probably delayed by relatively unstable and infertile soils.

Quaternary Science Reviews

Some are probably delayed effects of the end of the last ice age.

The New York Times - Science

But this probably delayed a fundamental examination of what NATO stands for.

The New York Times

Pharmaceutical analysts said that Merck probably delayed the offering because of weakness in the overall stock market.

The New York Times

A case in point: The U.S. auto industry's huge investment in automating the manufacture of cast-iron brake drums probably delayed by more than five years its transition to disc brakes.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Next year, we'll probably delay".

The New York Times

The killings will probably delay, if not derail, those efforts.

The New York Times

"It would probably delay for ever anything to bring these people out of the shadows".

The Guardian

If granted, an annulment would probably delay already protracted proceedings in Ecuador.

The New York Times

But you should probably delay any annuity purchases because payouts rise with interest rates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "probably delayed", consider the level of certainty you want to convey. If you are highly certain, consider using "likely delayed". If you want to express more uncertainty, use "may be delayed".

Common error

Avoid using "probably delayed" when you have definitive evidence of a delay or cancellation. In such cases, use "definitely delayed" or "cancelled" for clarity and accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably delayed" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the state of something. It indicates that a particular event or action is likely to be postponed or late. Ludwig shows this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably delayed" is a commonly used phrase to indicate a likely, but not certain, postponement or lateness. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Scientific sources. While "probably delayed" is a safe choice, consider alternatives like "likely postponed" or "possibly late" to fine-tune the level of certainty you wish to express. Avoid using it when a delay is definitively confirmed; instead, opt for stronger terms like "definitely delayed" or "cancelled".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely postponed

Focuses more on the postponement aspect, implying a decision has been made to delay.

possibly late

Emphasizes the potential for lateness rather than explicitly stating a delay.

may be delayed

Expresses a possibility of delay, similar to "probably delayed" but with less certainty.

is likely to be late

Highlights the increased chances of something being behind schedule.

expected to be pushed back

Suggests an anticipation of a later occurrence than originally planned.

anticipated to be delayed

Indicates that a delay was foreseen or expected in advance.

might be held up

Implies that something is preventing the expected progress, resulting in a delay.

conceivably delayed

Suggests that a delay is plausible, though not necessarily probable.

potentially deferred

Highlights the possibility of a postponement to a future time.

is subject to postponement

Indicates a conditional state where a delay is possible under specific circumstances.

FAQs

How to use "probably delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "probably delayed" to indicate that something is likely to be late or postponed, but without certainty. For example, "The flight is "probably delayed" due to the storm".

What can I say instead of "probably delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "likely postponed", "possibly late", or "may be delayed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "probably delayed" or "likely delayed"?

"Probably delayed" and "likely delayed" are both correct, but "likely delayed" implies a higher degree of certainty than "probably delayed".

What's the difference between "probably delayed" and "potentially delayed"?

"Probably delayed" suggests a higher likelihood of delay based on current information, while "potentially delayed" indicates that a delay is possible but not necessarily expected.