serious delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious delays" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe significant or important delays in various contexts, such as transportation, project timelines, or processes. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are experiencing serious delays in the delivery of our products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The station now is a major bottleneck that causes serious delays.

The New York Times

The company has warned that it could encounter serious delays, much as the Roadster did.

The New York Times

"He couldn't chew, he didn't walk, he had very serious delays, autistic-like behavior," she said.

The New York Times

But competition from the Channel tunnel, and daily incidents with migrants, have caused serious delays.

The Guardian

One-third of American companies report serious delays in bringing skilled employees into the country.But again these worries are exaggerated.

The Economist

It's an ambitious project, and one that has been beset by serious delays, caused in part by land acquisition difficulties.

The New York Times

She says there have already been serious delays in providing basic information such as data on staffing.

The Guardian

Nearly all of them are already under contract and some are being tested, but many have already suffered serious delays.

The New York Times

In places, climbers can only traverse one at a time, causing serious delays at extreme altitudes, risking frostbite and the exhaustion of oxygen stores.

The New York Times - Sports

Right now, that is tentatively set for 2016, but pressure for budget cuts in a struggling economy could results in serious delays.

The New York Times

Otherwise, there are serious delays -- in moving children out of foster care, in reuniting families, in resolving custody claims, in dealing with domestic violence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious delays", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and the impact of the delay. For example: "The project experienced serious delays due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the severity of "serious delays" without providing concrete evidence of the actual impact. Instead of saying "The delays caused irreparable damage", provide specific examples of the losses incurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious delays" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" is an adjective modifying the noun "delays". It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, describing a state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious delays" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe significant postponements, holdups, or setbacks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently used in news and media contexts, and its primary function is to inform or emphasize the existence of substantial delays. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "significant setbacks" or "major disruptions", the best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is important to use the phrase accurately, providing context about what is being delayed and avoiding exaggeration without evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant setbacks

Emphasizes the hindering aspect of the delay, focusing on progress being impeded.

major disruptions

Highlights the interruption caused by the delays, focusing on the disturbance.

considerable holdups

Uses a more informal term for delays, implying a temporary stoppage.

substantial postponements

Focuses on the act of delaying events or activities, highlighting the rescheduling.

extensive slowdowns

Emphasizes a reduction in speed or progress rather than a complete halt.

critical impediments

Highlights the obstruction of progress, suggesting the delays are severely hindering.

extreme deferrals

Emphasizes the action of delaying something to a later time, specifically at an extreme level.

grave retardations

Focuses on the slowing down or hindering of progress, stressing the severity.

severe lags

Describes the delays as a gap or interval of time, emphasizing its impact.

tough impediments

Describes the delays as an obstruction or hindrance that makes it more difficult to do something

FAQs

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

You can use "serious delays" to describe situations where significant postponements or holdups are occurring. For example, "The construction project faced "serious delays" due to weather conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "serious delays"?

Alternatives include "significant setbacks", "major disruptions", or "considerable holdups", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "dangerous delays" instead of "serious delays"?

While "dangerous delays" might be appropriate in specific contexts where the delays pose a direct threat, "serious delays" is more general. "Dangerous delays" implies an immediate and significant risk, which may not always be the case.

What is the difference between "serious delays" and "chronic delays"?

"Serious delays" refers to the intensity or impact of the delays, while "chronic delays" indicates that the delays are persistent or recurring over a long period.