prolonged delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"prolonged delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of time which exceeds the expected delay. For example, "The prolonged delay meant that the project couldn't be completed on schedule".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For the most part, people simply stood and waited, with all the apparent spiritual longing of stranded commuters on a Metro North platform during an unusually prolonged delay.

The New Yorker

In contrast to other plants with over-expressed NCEDs, prolonged delay of seed germination is the only abscisic-acid-related phenotypic effect in the GlNCED1 transgenic lines.

Journal of Plant Physiology

It is important that sputum pretreatment procedures do not cause prolonged delay in the reporting of results, or they will not be operationally feasible for national TB programs in high burden countries.

Plosone

20 Treatment fear prolonged delay among some women with cancer.

BMJ Open

Unfortunately such interventions cannot assist stroke patients who experience prolonged delay times in the community prior to hospital arrival.

BMC Family Practice

Moreover, acetabular cages require prolonged delay in weight bearing to reduce excessive stress and prevent possible graft resorption and cage migration.

BioMed Research International

When total LOS is viewed as a function of relative crowding status, significantly prolonged delay to patient placement in an exam room was notable and is consistent with previous reports.

BMJ Open

And a prolonged delay could spread malnutrition and starvation across the vast area affected.

The New York Times

There was then a prolonged delay while the SFO made further inquiries.

The Guardian

A prolonged delay would have had serious consequences for the deal.

The New York Times

After such a prolonged delay, it is also reassuring that the political and regulatory system has, finally, reached a resolution.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by not pairing "prolonged delay" with other words that already imply length or duration, such as "very prolonged delay".

Common error

Don't assume that using "prolonged delay" automatically conveys severity. While it indicates length, explicitly state the negative consequences or impacts of the delay to ensure the reader understands its importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prolonged delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "prolonged" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "delay". It describes a delay that is extended or lengthened in time. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prolonged delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a delay that has extended for a significant duration. As shown by Ludwig, it appears frequently in science, news, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register. When using this phrase, make sure to clearly specify what is being delayed and the impact of the delay. Alternatives like "lengthy delay" or "extended delay" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Understanding its implications and using it correctly enhances the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy delay

Emphasizes the duration of the delay.

extended delay

Highlights the fact that the delay has been stretched out.

sustained delay

Indicates a delay that continues for a considerable time.

protracted delay

Suggests a delay that is unnecessarily long.

long delay

A simpler, more general way to describe a delay of considerable length.

considerable delay

Highlights the significance or impact of the delay.

significant delay

Focuses on the importance or consequences of the delay.

major setback

Implies a delay that has a substantial negative impact.

drawn-out delay

Suggests the delay has been unnecessarily extended.

lingering delay

Implies a delay that is slow to resolve or disappear.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "prolonged delay" in a sentence?

To effectively use "prolonged delay", make sure to specify what is being delayed and, if necessary, the consequences. For example: "The prolonged delay in receiving the shipment impacted our production schedule."

What are some alternatives to "prolonged delay"?

Alternatives to "prolonged delay" include "lengthy delay", "extended delay", or "sustained delay". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "prolonged delay" and "lengthy delay"?

While both phrases refer to a delay of considerable duration, "prolonged delay" might suggest a more unexpected or problematic extension of the delay, whereas "lengthy delay" simply emphasizes the duration.

What are the implications of a "prolonged delay" in a project?

A "prolonged delay" can lead to increased costs, missed deadlines, and reduced customer satisfaction. Therefore, effective project management is necessary to mitigate the impact of potential delays.