severe delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "severe delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious postponement in various contexts, such as transportation, project timelines, or communication. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a severe delay in the delivery of the packages."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Light-adapted response to a single high-intensity (3.0 cd·s/m; cone-specific): severely reduced amplitudes illustrated a severe cone-system involvement with severe delay and amplitudes of 1/3 of normal values.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

Absence of the post-transcriptional modification of the wobble anticodon position of the cytoplasmic tRNALys has been shown to cause ribosome pausing on lysine codons, inducing a severe delay in the rate of translation elongation10,11,12.

Nature

Mental and psychomotor developmental indices (MDI, PDI) were determined with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development I: ≥−1 S.D.: normal, −2 to −1 S.D.: moderate delay and <−2 S.D.: severe delay.

Early Human Development

In response, the petrol station says there is a severe delay in getting due money back from local government authorities.

BBC

Moreover, the packet of the PU's queue suffers severe delay with the increasing of the PU's arrival rate.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Compared to controls, the mice experienced a severe delay in the migration of neurons in their brains, leading to abnormal brain development.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Several related conditions involving microcephaly with more severe delays, brain malformations, and other neurological problems will also be included in the panel.

University of Chicago

In the morning rush there were severe delays and disruption.

The Guardian

Thousands of commuters face severe delays this evening as a result.

The Guardian

There were also severe delays for London to Glasgow services on the west coast line.

The Guardian

A series of legal claims and counter-claims led to severe delays in child custody cases.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, provide specific details about the cause and impact of the "severe delay". This adds credibility and helps the audience understand the situation better.

Common error

Avoid using "severe delay" when a more moderate term like "noticeable delay" or "slight delay" would be more accurate. Overstating the situation can diminish your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe delay" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and readily used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

61%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "severe delay" effectively conveys a significant postponement or disruption. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It functions as a noun phrase, primarily used to describe impactful setbacks in a neutral register. Predominantly featured in scientific and news contexts, the phrase carries a sense of urgency or concern. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "significant postponement" or "major setback". When using the phrase, it's crucial to accurately portray the severity of the delay and its consequences, ensuring the term aligns with the context to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant postponement

Focuses on the act of delaying something to a later time, emphasizing the importance of the postponement.

major setback

Highlights the negative impact and hindrance caused by the delay.

critical holdup

Emphasizes the importance of the delay and its role as an impediment.

substantial interruption

Highlights the disruption caused and the considerable amount of time affected.

marked impediment

Focuses on the fact that the delay is a recognizable obstacle.

serious deferral

A more formal way to express a significant delay or postponement.

acute disruption

Emphasizes the sudden and intense nature of the delay and its impact.

notable setback

Highlights the setback aspect of the delay, emphasizing it is worthy of attention.

extreme tardiness

Emphasizes the lateness and the extremity of being behind schedule.

considerable lag

Focuses on the amount of time by which something is behind schedule.

FAQs

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

You can use "severe delay" to describe significant postponements or disruptions. For example, "The project experienced a "severe delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to "severe delay"?

Alternatives include "significant postponement", "major setback", or "critical holdup", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "major delay" or "severe delay"?

"Severe delay" indicates a greater degree of disruption or postponement compared to "major delay". Choose the term that best reflects the actual impact.

What distinguishes "severe delay" from "moderate delay"?

"Severe delay" implies a critical and impactful delay, whereas "moderate delay" suggests a less significant postponement that doesn't drastically affect outcomes.