prolong the delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prolong the delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of extending or lengthening a period of waiting or postponement. Example: "The unexpected circumstances may prolong the delay in the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What specifically was the reason behind Brauns departure and how much more will it prolong the delay in launching the site?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

FSG's predecessors, Hicks and Gillett, prolonged the delay during their near-ruinous tenure by scrapping stadium designs and then failing to secure funding for their preferred project.

The Guardian - Sport

Syria continued to blame security issues; U.S. officials disagreed and accused the government of deliberately causing or prolonging the delay.

Wikipedia

In our study half of the new smear positive pulmonary patients reviewed had a delay of 12 weeks or more, and visiting a traditional healer prolonged the delay.

BMC Public Health

The type of substrate as well as the type and quantity of supplement appeared to have a substantial effect on prolonging the delayed-release nutrients.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

However, the data transmission protocols based on traditional acknowledgments, for example, ARQ, are not suitable for UWASN [4-6] because their acknowledgment packets not only prolong the transmission delay but also waste lots of limited bandwidth.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Herein we report that mutations in Cdc48 and its cofactors Npl4 and Ufd1 prolong the G1 delay in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae at 38.5°C.

Plosone

Actions aiming at solving the problem of obstructed labour within the community may ultimately prolong the first delay (8).

Global Health Action

The drug tested in the current proposal will be considered effective if it can prolong the growth delay of the tumors with a minimum of 5 days.

BMC Cancer

By acting as hydrogen donors or radicals scavengers, primary antioxidants prolong the IP and delay the propagation period 3, 22.

European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology

In addition, maintenance therapy with single-agent ziv-aflibercept was intended to prolong the benefits and delay the development of resistance.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prolong the delay", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is causing the delay and the implications of its extension. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "prolong the delay" without specifying the reason. Vague statements can confuse readers and diminish the effectiveness of your message. Always clarify what is causing or has caused the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolong the delay" functions primarily as a verb phrase acting upon a noun phrase. It describes the action of extending a period of waiting or postponement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "prolong the delay" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe the action of extending a period of waiting or postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While its frequency is uncommon, it appears across diverse contexts, predominantly in science and news media. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify what is causing the delay. Alternatives such as "extend the delay" or "lengthen the waiting period" offer similar meanings, though the specific nuance may vary. When using "prolong the delay", ensure to define the reason behind the delay to avoid vagueness. The phrase generally carries a negative connotation but can be used neutrally when the delay is beneficial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the waiting period

Focuses on the waiting aspect, replacing "delay" with "waiting period".

increase the postponement

Replaces "prolong" with "increase" and "delay" with "postponement".

lengthen the intermission

Uses "lengthen" as a synonym for "prolong" and "intermission" for "delay", altering the tone slightly.

stretch out the deferment

Employs "stretch out" instead of "prolong" and "deferment" in place of "delay".

draw out the suspension

Substitutes "draw out" for "prolong" and "suspension" for "delay".

protract the hold-up

Replaces "prolong" with "protract" and "delay" with the more informal "hold-up".

continue the standstill

Employs "continue" instead of "prolong" and "standstill" for "delay", suggesting a complete cessation of progress.

expand the lag time

Substitutes "expand" for "prolong" and "lag time" for "delay", often used in technical contexts.

perpetuate the interruption

Replaces "prolong" with "perpetuate", suggesting a more permanent extension, and "delay" with "interruption".

maintain the respite

Uses "maintain" instead of "prolong" and "respite" for "delay", which implies a welcome pause.

FAQs

How can I use "prolong the delay" in a sentence?

You can use "prolong the delay" to describe situations where something is causing a waiting period to be extended. For example, "Unexpected complications may "prolong the delay" in the project's completion".

What's the difference between "prolong the delay" and "extend the delay"?

While both phrases are similar, "prolong the delay" emphasizes a lengthening effect, whereas "extend the delay" simply means to make it longer. The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Are there formal alternatives to "prolong the delay"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "protract the deferment" or "extend the postponement", which may be suitable for academic or professional writing.

Can I use "prolong the delay" in both positive and negative contexts?

The phrase "prolong the delay" typically carries a negative connotation, as delays are usually undesirable. However, it can be used neutrally or even positively if the delay serves a beneficial purpose, although such instances are less common. Consider clarifying the positive intention if using it in such cases.