suffer a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffer a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to experiencing or enduring a postponement or holdup in a process or event. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we may suffer a delay in the delivery of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The fewer connections you make, the lower the chance that you will suffer a delay.

The New York Times

Still, air travelers are much more likely to suffer a delay before taking off than after landing.

The New York Times

American businesses with public-sector contracts will suffer a delay in payments and could go bust – unemployment has already risen as a result of the shutdown.

The Guardian

Via its Delay Repay scheme, First Capital Connect pays its oft-beleaguered customers who suffer a delay of 30 mins or more, but you must make your claim within 28 days of the delay.

The Guardian - Money

They are concerned with optimizing systems where individuals (or elements, in general) suffer or may suffer a delay.

SERIEs

Fig. 6 Percentage of UEs for which at least 2%% of the packets suffer a delay exceeding the QCI's PDB.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The film suffered a delay due to financial troubles at studio MGM, allowing for several script rewrites.

Independent

By Andrea Thompson This new tapas restaurant suffered a delay prior to its début, so, on a recent evening, not long after its doors finally opened, it seemed like a celebration in the packed dining room.

The New Yorker

This new tapas restaurant suffered a delay prior to its début, so, on a recent evening, not long after its doors finally opened, it seemed like a celebration in the packed dining room.

The New Yorker

Richard Lloyd, executive director of Which?, said: "Our latest train survey showed that people are dissatisfied with the service provided by many of the operators, and it's little wonder when three in 10 people suffered a delay when they last travelled.

The Guardian

We also suffered a delay of about nine months in construction, the unions gave us a horrid time, and the overall cost blew out by 20%.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffer a delay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and the cause, if known. For instance, "The project suffered a delay due to unforeseen weather conditions."

Common error

Avoid vaguely attributing the delay without providing sufficient context. Instead of just saying "the delivery suffered a delay", specify the reason, like "the delivery suffered a delay due to logistical issues" to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffer a delay" functions as a verb phrase, where "suffer" acts as a verb indicating the experience of something negative, and "a delay" serves as the noun phrase representing the thing being experienced. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suffer a delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something has been postponed or slowed down. According to Ludwig, it's a valid phrase in written English. The phrase is used across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles, to describe unwelcome hindrances to progress. While alternatives like "encounter a delay" or "experience a delay" exist, "suffer a delay" often carries a slightly more negative connotation, highlighting the adverse impact of the delay. When using this phrase, make sure to provide sufficient context to clearly explain the cause and nature of the delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Incur a delay

Focuses on the action of becoming subject to a delay.

Encounter a delay

Emphasizes the unexpected or unplanned nature of the delay.

Experience a delay

Highlights the act of undergoing a delay.

Face a delay

Stresses the confrontation or inevitability of dealing with a delay.

Undergo a delay

Similar to 'experience a delay' but suggests a more passive role.

Be subject to a delay

Focuses on the state of being affected by a delay.

Meet with a delay

Implies a degree of chance or happenstance in the occurrence of a delay.

Run into a delay

Suggests an unforeseen or unexpected encounter with a delay.

Fall behind schedule

Refers more broadly to not meeting deadlines rather than a single delay.

Be held up

More colloquial, implying a hindrance leading to a delay.

FAQs

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

You can use "suffer a delay" to indicate that something has been postponed or slowed down, for example, "The flight suffered a delay because of bad weather" or "The construction project suffered a delay due to a shortage of materials."

What are some alternatives to "suffer a delay"?

You can use alternatives like "encounter a delay", "experience a delay", or "incur a delay", depending on the specific context you're describing.

Is it better to say "suffer a delay" or "experience a delay"?

Both "suffer a delay" and "experience a delay" are grammatically correct. "Suffer a delay" might suggest a more negative or unwanted experience, while "experience a delay" is more neutral. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "suffer a delay" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "suffer a delay" is appropriate for formal writing. It's frequently used in news reports, business documents, and academic papers to describe situations where something has been postponed or slowed down. However, make sure the delay is unwelcome. A more appropriate term for a scheduled hold up, such as in a train schedule, could be "encounter a delay".