such a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'such a delay' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the amount of time that has elapsed between a certain event and the present moment. For example, "We've been waiting two weeks for a response from the company, such a delay is unacceptable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Such a delay is regrettable".

The New York Times

Such a delay is unheard of.

Independent

The House is reportedly considering such a delay or deletion.

The Guardian

Conservatives said they would oppose such a delay.

The New York Times

Such a delay would destroy momentum and could weaken reform.

The New York Times

Why such a delay indeed, this year or in the past?

The Guardian

A Western diplomat said the minister was told that such a delay was "totally unacceptable".

The New York Times

He said: "Such a delay would not help the investment climate.

The Guardian

And why was there such a delay in the development of Cicoria's musicophilia?

The New Yorker

Gov. George W. Bush declared last December that he would not object to such a delay.

The New York Times

They said they feared that such a delay might build more Republican support for the measure.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "such a delay", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being delayed. Providing specific details enhances clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid downplaying the consequences of a delay. Acknowledge the potential impact, especially in sensitive contexts like medical treatment or project deadlines.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a delay" functions as a determiner phrase modifying the noun "delay". It emphasizes the significance or unexpected nature of the delay being discussed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "such a delay" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase frequently used to highlight an unexpectedly long waiting period. Ludwig confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It commonly appears in news reports, scientific articles, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the delayed event and be mindful of the tone to accurately reflect the intended message. Considering alternative expressions like "such a postponement" can also enhance writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such a postponement

Substitutes "delay" with "postponement", offering a more formal synonym.

such a deferral

Replaces "delay" with "deferral", indicating a formal act of putting something off to a later time.

such a slippage

Replaces "delay" with "slippage", suggesting a minor or unintended postponement.

such a lag

Uses "lag" instead of "delay", implying a slower pace or a period of inactivity.

such a backlog

Uses "backlog" to imply a delay caused by an accumulation of pending tasks or items.

such a wait

Replace with the term "wait" which is synonym.

why the delay

Reformulates the phrase into a question, emphasizing the reason for the delay.

what caused the delay

Poses a direct inquiry into the origins of the delay.

reason for the delay

Focuses on the cause of the delay rather than the delay itself.

what's taking so long

Expresses impatience or concern about the length of the delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "such a delay" to express surprise, concern, or frustration about an extended waiting period. For example, "We've been waiting for weeks; such a delay is unacceptable."

What's a more formal alternative to "such a delay"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "such a postponement" or "such a deferral".

Is it correct to say "why such a delay"?

Yes, "why such a delay" is a grammatically correct and common way to inquire about the reason for a delay.

What implications does "such a delay" usually carry?

"Such a delay" often implies that the delay is unexpected, excessive, or problematic, depending on the context.