subject to delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "subject to delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something may be postponed or not occur as scheduled due to unforeseen circumstances. Example: "The delivery of your order is subject to delay due to supply chain issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Prosecution for the gravest crimes should not be subject to delay or obstruction".

The New York Times

That should make them less subject to delay than manufacture in the field.

The Economist

Stansted warned flights would be subject to delay and cancellations and advised passengers to check their airline's website.

The Guardian

A spokesman said: "Due to air traffic restriction due to adverse weather, some flights may be subject to delay.

Independent

It recommended those booked on cancelled trains exchange their tickets for travel on another date as "other services may also be subject to delay".

The Telegraph

Manchester United's journey to the second trophy of a possible quintuple was subject to delay but they could not be prevented from reaching their destination.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The internet is not a robust network and is subjected to delay, jitter, and packet loss.

Performance Evaluation

In this paper, a constructive geometric design of switching laws is proposed for the finite-time stability of singular nonlinear switched systems subjected to delay and disturbance.

Journal of the Franklin Institute

"To have passengers unnecessarily subjected to delay is something that just can't happen if we want to keep our riders".

Los Angeles Times

We explored this question by exposing two groups of subjects to delayed and non-delayed velocity dependent force perturbations and observing their behavior in catch trials.

Plosone

Construction projects everywhere are subject to delays and cost overruns.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "subject to delay", clearly state the reason for the potential delay to manage expectations effectively. For instance, "The project timeline is subject to delay due to unforeseen weather conditions."

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the actor causing the delay is unclear. Instead of saying "The shipment is subject to delay", specify the cause: "The shipment is subject to delay because of customs clearance issues."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "subject to delay" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by indicating a condition or potential state. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct. It suggests that the noun it modifies might experience a postponement or setback.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "subject to delay" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase widely used to indicate the possibility of postponement or hindrance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal communication. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide context regarding potential reasons for the delay to ensure clarity. Although the phrase is widely used, it's important to consider the passive voice implications and ensure that the sentence clearly communicates the cause of the possible delay. If you wish to use synonyms, consider "potentially delayed", "at risk of delay", or "liable to be delayed", always depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Potentially delayed

Directly states the possibility of a delay.

At risk of delay

Highlights the potential negative impact of a delay.

Liable to be delayed

Indicates a legal or expected possibility of delay.

May experience delays

A more descriptive way of indicating possible delays.

Susceptible to delays

Suggests a vulnerability to factors causing delay.

Prone to postponement

Emphasizes a higher likelihood of delay.

Could be held up

More informal, suggesting an obstruction causing delay.

In danger of being late

Focuses on the lateness aspect of the delay.

Open to being deferred

Indicates that the possibility of pushing the subject in the future.

Awaiting potential rescheduling

Indicates a higher likelihood of delay.

FAQs

How can I use "subject to delay" in a sentence?

You can use "subject to delay" to indicate that something might be postponed or experience a setback. For example: "The delivery is "subject to delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to saying "subject to delay"?

Alternatives include "potentially delayed", "at risk of delay", or "liable to be delayed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "subjected to delay" instead of "subject to delay"?

While "subjected to" implies being forced to experience something, "subject to" indicates a possibility or condition. Therefore, "subject to delay" is generally more appropriate when referring to potential postponements.

What does it mean when something is "subject to" something else?

When something is "subject to" something else, it means it is conditional upon or affected by that thing. For example, "prices are "subject to change"" means prices may vary.