slight delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"slight delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe a small amount of time or that something is taking a bit longer than it should. For example, "We apologize for the slight delay in your order arriving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was a slight delay.

The New Yorker

"It's a slight delay," he said.

The New York Times

There was, however, a slight delay.

The New York Times

It looked out and there's a slight delay.

The Guardian - Sport

But the slight delay did not bother him.

The New York Times - Sports

And, after a slight delay, the author finally responds.

The New Yorker

And no serious financial loss would have been incurred by the slight delay involved.

Cornell University

Note: You may experience a slight delay for the Calendar pop up.

Stanford University

The major notes stride forward after a slight delay, as the wine descends down the palate.

The New Yorker

I'm going to have to restart my browser - apologies if there follows a slight delay.

The Guardian - Sport

There might be some slight delay before we things shaped up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slight delay" to communicate a minor and usually inconsequential postponement, reassuring the audience that the impact is minimal.

Common error

Avoid using "slight delay" when the delay has significant consequences. In such cases, use more descriptive and serious language to reflect the actual impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slight delay" functions as a modifier and a noun, indicating a minor postponement or a brief period of waiting. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slight delay" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a minor postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Its neutral tone makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, though it's essential to reserve it for situations where the delay is genuinely minor and inconsequential. Alternatives like "brief pause" or "minor setback" can offer nuanced variations, as explained above. The frequent use of "slight delay" in News & Media, Academia, and Science underscores its widespread acceptance and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief pause

Replaces "delay" with "pause", focusing on the interruption rather than the lengthening of time.

minor setback

Substitutes "delay" with "setback", emphasizing the hindrance aspect.

short interruption

Uses "interruption" to highlight the break in continuity.

momentary lag

Replaces both "slight" and "delay" with synonyms that convey a temporary slowdown.

small holdup

Uses the informal term "holdup" instead of "delay".

temporary suspension

Replaces "delay" with a more formal term, implying a temporary halt.

modest deferment

Employs more formal vocabulary to suggest a postponement.

brief waiting period

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention waiting.

marginal slowdown

Focuses on the reduction in speed rather than a halt or delay.

fleeting interlude

Suggests a brief and often pleasant interruption.

FAQs

What does "slight delay" mean?

The phrase "slight delay" refers to a small or minor postponement, indicating that something is taking a little longer than expected but is not a major issue.

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

You can use "slight delay" to inform someone about a minor postponement, for example: "We apologize for the "slight delay" in processing your request."

Which is more appropriate, "slight delay" or "significant delay"?

The choice depends on the context. Use "slight delay" for minor postponements and "significant delay" for more substantial or impactful ones.

What are some alternatives to "slight delay"?

Alternatives include "brief pause", "minor setback", or "short interruption", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.