protracted delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "protracted delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a delay that is extended or prolonged over a significant period of time. Example: "The project faced a protracted delay due to unforeseen circumstances, pushing the completion date back by several months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

There is little dispute that the key reason underlying nuclear waste's unfolding complex story of "controversy, litigation, and protracted delay" lies with grave public concerns over "adequate protection of public health and safety and the environment" [2].

Energy, Sustainability and Society

We have chosen to focus this investigation on the seemingly protracted delay to the initiation of insulin that UK patients are exposed to and it's potential consequences.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

General Beauregard took full advantage of the protracted delay.

The New York Times

The protracted delay in delivering the decision stoked up political resentment against Strasbourg.

The Guardian

"The head of the Diplomatic Service, Simon McDonald, registered once again our deep frustration at the protracted delay.

Independent

The iPlayer, which launched last year after a protracted delay and at the cost of several million pounds, has expanded rapidly in recent months.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Several news organisations have reported protracted delays in obtaining visas.

The Guardian

Sir Michael Lyons told the Guardian he had identified protracted delays in the release of land as the single biggest cause of Britain's housing crisis.

The Guardian

In a recent series, The Times's Robin Pogrebin detailed many of the commission's dysfunctional ways, including inadequate record-keeping, protracted delays and a lack of transparency.

The New York Times

In March, protracted delays in marketing a cheaper alternative for tamoxifen, the breast cancer drug made by AstraZeneca, prompted sharp criticism from Federal District Judge Ricardo M. Urbina for the District of Columbia, who said he found the situation absurd.

The New York Times

According to "The VA Claims Backlog Working Group March 2014 Report," in 2014, the total number of disability compensation claims awaiting adjudication stands at a whopping 700,000 across the country, with some 400,000 facing protracted delays of more than 125 days.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a "protracted delay", be specific about the consequences. For example, instead of saying "the project suffered a protracted delay", specify how the delay affected timelines, budgets, or resources.

Common error

Avoid using "protracted delay" when a shorter, simpler term like "long delay" suffices. "Protracted" implies a troublesome or unexpectedly extended duration, not just any delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "protracted delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "protracted" modifies the noun "delay". Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability in written English, describing a delay that has been extended or prolonged significantly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "protracted delay" effectively communicates a delay that is not only long but also unexpectedly extended, often causing concern or inconvenience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While alternatives like "lengthy delay" or "extended delay" exist, "protracted" adds a nuance of trouble or unexpected duration. Its usage spans news, science, and formal business settings, making it a versatile choice for expressing significant delays. Remember to use it when you wish to convey that the delay is more than just a simple wait, but a drawn-out or problematic situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lengthy delay

Replaces "protracted" with "lengthy", emphasizing the extended duration of the delay.

extended delay

Uses "extended" instead of "protracted", highlighting the increased duration of the delay.

prolonged delay

Substitutes "protracted" with "prolonged", stressing the stretched-out nature of the delay.

long delay

Simplifies the phrase by using "long" instead of "protracted", indicating a delay of considerable duration.

significant delay

Focuses on the importance/impact rather than duration of the delay

considerable delay

Emphasizes the substantial amount of time involved in the delay.

appreciable delay

Highlights the noticeable and measurable extent of the delay.

excessive delay

Implies that the delay is beyond what is considered reasonable or acceptable.

undue delay

Indicates that the delay is unwarranted or unjustified.

unwarranted delay

Similar to "undue delay", this emphasizes the lack of justification for the delay.

FAQs

How can I use "protracted delay" in a sentence?

You can use "protracted delay" to describe a situation where something is delayed for an unexpectedly long time. For example: "The construction of the new bridge experienced a "protracted delay" due to unforeseen environmental concerns".

What are some alternatives to "protracted delay"?

Some alternatives include "lengthy delay", "extended delay", or "prolonged delay". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What does "protracted" mean in the context of "protracted delay"?

In the phrase "protracted delay", "protracted" means lasting for a long time or longer than expected. It suggests that the delay is not only long but also troublesome or inconvenient.

Is it better to say "protracted delay" or "long delay"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "protracted delay" implies a more troublesome or unexpectedly extended duration than a simple "long delay". Use "protracted delay" when you want to emphasize the frustrating or difficult nature of the delay.