small delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"small delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a short or brief period of time in which something is postponed or delayed. For example, "The project was running behind schedule, but the team was able to make up the small delay with some overtime hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sensitization is particularly important when testing for small delay defects.

System-on-Chip Test Architectures Nanometer Design for Testability

With voice, this is usually fine – we can cope with some small delay.

The Guardian - Tech

Under realistic conditions a small delay in the coupling can give rise to an essential instability: the linearisation has infinitely many unstable eigenvalues for arbitrarily small delay.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

After a small delay, a series of characters is displayed one at a time on the LCD.

Cornell University

There will still be a small delay -- about one-third of a second -- as the action bounces between locations.

The New York Times

In mice that had very drug-resistant tumors, standard treatment with Cytoxan caused only a small delay in tumor growth.

The New York Times - Science

Open Table and Food Line, however, have real-time reservations while RestaurantRow.com operates on a small delay.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, audio transmission by Bluetooth often introduces a small delay, making the soundtrack slightly out of sync with the video.

The New York Times - Tech

Thus, proper classical controller is suggested for improving the stability of the vibration system with small damping and small delay.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The visual dominance effect was also found when the two signals were presented with a small delay between them.

Displays

Meanwhile, a delay-dependent criterion is established to reduce the conservatism of design procedures especially for small delay systems.

Acta Automatica Sinica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing project timelines or scheduling adjustments, use "small delay" to acknowledge minor setbacks without overemphasizing the impact.

Common error

Avoid using "small delay" when the delay has significant consequences. Choose more impactful language like "substantial delay" or "major disruption" if the impact is considerable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small delay" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "small" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "delay". It indicates a brief or insignificant postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "small delay" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote a minor postponement or setback. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It is especially prevalent in scientific, news, and academic writing. When using "small delay", ensure the term accurately reflects the magnitude of the delay; otherwise, consider alternatives like "brief pause" or "significant delay" as needed. Remember to acknowledge minor setbacks in project updates, but also use alternative impactful language if the impact is considerable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief pause

Emphasizes the shortness and abruptness of the delay.

short intermission

Suggests a temporary break within a larger event or process.

minor setback

Highlights the negative aspect of the delay, framing it as an obstacle.

slight holdup

Implies an unexpected interruption or obstruction.

momentary lag

Focuses on the temporary nature of the delay, particularly in technical contexts.

temporary deferral

Suggests a more formal or planned postponement.

fleeting interruption

Highlights the transient and disruptive nature of the delay.

brief hiatus

Emphasizes a cessation or break in activity.

marginal waiting period

Focuses on the aspect of waiting and its insignificance.

modest postponement

Highlights the limited extent of rescheduling.

FAQs

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

You can use "small delay" to indicate a brief postponement or setback, as in, "The project experienced a "small delay" due to unforeseen circumstances, but we are back on track now."

What's a good alternative to "small delay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "brief pause", "minor setback", or "slight holdup".

Is it ever incorrect to use "small delay"?

Yes, if the delay is actually significant, using "small delay" would be misleading. In such cases, opt for terms like "significant delay" or "major disruption".

What's the difference between "small delay" and "short delay"?

The terms "small delay" and "short delay" are largely interchangeable and convey similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.