severe delays

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe delays" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where some kind of progress or action is being significantly hindered or delayed. It is often used in transportation settings, such as when there are long delays for flights or trains. Example: "The airport is experiencing severe delays due to unfavorable weather conditions." "The construction project has been facing severe delays due to a shortage of materials." "Passengers were frustrated by the severe delays on the train caused by a technical issue." "The severe delays in processing visa applications have caused inconvenience for many travelers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BBC Travel said there were severe delays near the scene, where several more trees were in danger of falling on to the road.

BBC

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

"It is not anticipated that it will result in flights being cancelled or severe delays," the CAA said.

The Guardian

Alarmingly, only half have sought treatment, the study found, and they have encountered severe delays and shortfalls in getting care.

The New York Times

Tube services failed again including, by evening, severe delays across the underground's critical Olympic artery, the Jubilee line.

The Guardian

Holidaymakers travelling through Dover are being urged to stock up on vital supplies following severe delays last weekend.

The Guardian

Long queues tailed out of St Pancras station for a second day due to severe delays on Eurostar.

The Guardian

"Severe delays" in felony cases were to be expected, he wrote later in a ruling in the Hooks case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting about events affected by "severe delays", provide specific details about the causes and the expected duration of the delays to enhance clarity and inform your audience effectively.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of "severe delays". Use precise language to describe the actual impact, rather than resorting to hyperbole that could mislead readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe delays" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "severe" intensifies the noun "delays". It is commonly used to describe disruptions, hindrances, or postponements, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe delays" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for describing significant disruptions or postponements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and common in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, most prominently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business communications. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about the causes and impacts of the delays to maintain clarity and inform your audience effectively. Avoid overstating the consequences and consider context-appropriate alternatives like "significant hold-ups" or "major disruptions" to prevent repetition and add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant hold-ups

Replaces "severe" with "significant" and "delays" with the synonym "hold-ups", altering the tone while retaining the core meaning.

major disruptions

Substitutes both words with synonyms suggesting interruptions on a large scale.

extensive postponements

"Extensive" replaces "severe", and "postponements" replaces "delays", emphasizing the rescheduling aspect.

critical setbacks

Emphasizes the negative impact of the delays as impediments to progress.

extreme slowdowns

Focuses on the reduced pace and intensity of progress rather than complete stops.

considerable holdups

Changes 'severe' to 'considerable', softening the intensity of the delay.

serious impediments

Replaces the idea of delays with tangible obstacles.

substantial disruptions

A variation that highlights the scale and impact of the disturbance.

acute postponements

Replaces "severe" with "acute", conveying the urgency and intensity of the rescheduling.

significant setbacks

Implies a more impactful hindrance than a simple delay.

FAQs

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

"Severe delays" typically describe situations where progress is significantly hindered. For example, "The project experienced "severe delays" due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to "severe delays"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant hold-ups", "major disruptions", or "extensive postponements depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "harsh delays" instead of "severe delays"?

While "harsh delays" is understandable, ""severe delays"" is more commonly used and generally preferred in formal writing. "Harsh" typically describes conditions or treatment, not delays.

What's the difference between "severe delays" and "moderate delays"?

"Severe delays" indicate a significant impact and substantial hindrance to progress, while "moderate delays" suggest a lesser impact and shorter duration of postponement.