substantial holdup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "substantial holdup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant delay or obstruction in a process or situation. Example: "There was a substantial holdup in the delivery of the materials, which pushed back the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It can be observed that the local time-averaged gas holdup is a function of the bed material density, as the material density decreased, gas holdup increased and solid holdup decreased (gas holdup + solid holdup = 1).

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

Thus, the average solid holdup increased with increasing initial solid holdup.

Petroleum Science

Meanwhile, the average solid holdup decreased along the axial height.

Petroleum Science

A comparative study shows that substantial gas holdup are observed in the present system with considerably lower energy losses.

Chemical Engineering Science

Ms. Walters, the White House spokeswoman, denied any substantial delay in staffing the government, saying that "there is no holdup". But she added that the administration was now screening a large pool of prospective nominees — a senior White House official put the number at about 130 — whom it would soon name for crucial positions.

The New York Times

The holdup?

The New York Times - Arts

What's the Holdup?

The New York Times

Esto Es Holdup?

The New York Times

What is the holdup?

The New York Times

That has been the holdup.

MIT Technology Review

And what was the holdup?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial holdup" to describe a significant delay or obstruction, particularly in formal contexts or when emphasizing the impact of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial holdup" for minor delays. This phrase implies a significant and impactful obstruction, so ensure the context warrants such a strong description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial holdup" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a significant delay or obstruction. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial holdup" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a significant delay or obstruction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for formal and professional contexts, particularly in news and media reporting. While "substantial holdup" is a valid expression, alternative phrases like "significant delay" or "major setback" may be used depending on the desired tone and emphasis. It's important to reserve "substantial holdup" for situations where the delay is truly significant and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant delay

Replaces "holdup" with a more common synonym and uses "significant" instead of "substantial".

considerable delay

Uses "considerable" as a synonym for "substantial", maintaining the meaning of a large delay.

serious delay

Uses "serious" as a synonym for "substantial", highlighting the severity of the delay.

major setback

Replaces the entire phrase with a different term that implies a significant obstruction.

notable delay

Uses "notable" to indicate that the delay is significant and worthy of attention.

significant obstruction

Replaces "holdup" with "obstruction", keeping "significant" as a synonym for "substantial".

lengthy delay

Focuses on the duration of the delay, implying it is substantial in length.

major impediment

Replaces "holdup" with "impediment", emphasizing the hindering aspect of the situation.

extensive delay

Emphasizes the scope and reach of the delay, suggesting it affects many aspects.

appreciable delay

Highlights that the delay is large enough to be easily noticed or measured.

FAQs

What does "substantial holdup" mean?

A "substantial holdup" refers to a significant delay or obstruction in a process, project, or any kind of progress. It implies that the delay is considerable and impactful.

What can I say instead of "substantial holdup"?

You can use alternatives like "significant delay", "major setback", or "considerable delay" depending on the context.

Is "substantial holdup" formal or informal?

"Substantial holdup" leans towards the formal side, implying a serious and impactful delay, suitable for professional or news contexts.

How do I use "substantial holdup" in a sentence?

You can use it as in, "There was a "substantial holdup" in the delivery of materials, which pushed back the project's timeline."