the game was delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "the game was delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a sports event, such as: "The football game was delayed due to a storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The game was delayed about 17 minutes.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was delayed for 34 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

The game was delayed twice by rain.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was delayed 17 minutes while order was restored.

The New York Times

The start of the game was delayed 21 minutes by rain.

The New York Times - Sports

The start of the game was delayed one hour by the bad weather.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was delayed about five minutes for groundskeepers to gather the candy.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was delayed five times by rain over two days.

The New York Times - Sports

The game was delayed for an hour because of rain and lightning.

The New York Times - Sports

The start of the game was delayed nearly an hour because of lightning.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, after one too many thunderclaps, the game was delayed two hours while the storm passed.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a delayed game, specify the duration and reason for the delay to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that "the game was delayed" without explaining why. Providing the reason, such as weather conditions or technical issues, offers crucial information to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the game was delayed" functions as a declarative statement reporting that a scheduled game experienced a postponement. Ludwig's examples show it is used to communicate a factual occurrence. The phrase's grammatical structure is simple: subject + auxiliary verb + passive verb form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the game was delayed" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to report the postponement of a game. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is readily usable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to inform audiences about schedule changes. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to include the reason for the delay. Related phrases include "the game was postponed" and "the game faced a delay". By providing a clear and concise way to communicate a change in schedule, "the game was delayed" remains a useful phrase in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the game faced a delay

Replaces the verb "was delayed" with "faced a delay", changing the sentence structure slightly.

the game experienced a delay

Similar to "faced a delay", but uses "experienced" to indicate the game went through a delay.

the game's start was pushed back

Focuses specifically on the start time being affected, implying a delay.

the game was put on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension, suggesting a delay in progress.

the game's commencement was postponed

Uses more formal vocabulary like "commencement" and "postponed".

the game suffered a setback

Indicates a delay as a form of hindrance or obstacle.

the game's progress was interrupted

Emphasizes the interruption of the game's flow.

the game was held up

Informal way of saying delayed.

the game's schedule was disrupted

Focuses on the disruption of the intended timeline.

the game encountered unforeseen interruptions

Highlights the unexpected nature of the delays.

FAQs

How can I use "the game was delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "the game was delayed" to report on a sports event that has been postponed, such as "The baseball game was delayed due to heavy rain" or "The start of the game was delayed by an hour because of a power outage".

What are some alternatives to "the game was delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "the game was postponed", "the game was interrupted", or "the game was suspended", depending on the specific context of the delay.

Which is correct, "the game was delayed" or "the game is delayed"?

"The game was delayed" is used when referring to a past event. "The game is delayed" is used when referring to a current or ongoing situation.

What's the difference between "the game was delayed" and "the game was cancelled"?

"The game was delayed" means the game was postponed and will be played at a later time. "The game was cancelled" means the game will not be played at all.