their delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation where a group or individuals are late or have postponed something. Example: "Due to their delay, the project timeline has been pushed back by two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On Friday, the Punjab high court intervened, asking the police to explain their delay.

The New York Times

Justice Reichbach called a series of hearings compelling prosecutors to show good cause for their delay in bringing charges.

The New York Times

Their delay had caused months of protests and a stand-off that resulted in the shutdown of parliament in January.

The Economist

"Their delay has actually become an advantage because they have all of the cash and the markets are cheap right now".

The New York Times

Their delay in telling the Justice Department about the case allowed a one-year time limit on appointing an independent counsel to lapse.

The New York Times

Aside from eating, working and sleeping, some travelers use their delay time to sneak in a workout or a spa treatment.

The New York Times

Their delay has put at risk £18bn of investment and jeopardised 25,000 skilled jobs in the nuclear industry, which are essential for the UK's balanced energy portfolio".

The Guardian

After all, despite their delay records, those airlines would receive more business from people lured by the guarantees into booking those carriers on Biztravel.com.

The New York Times

Their delay is likely to prevent her from bringing the bill to a full vote before the August recess.The Blue Dogs' evolution has proceeded in fits and starts.

The Economist

Republicans had blocked his nomination but lifted their delay after the administration bowed to their requests for clarification about the president's power in using drones.

Independent

But his wife's desperate need for caffeine forced them to stop for gas-station blend at the Bradford Market, where an admiring clerk added to their delay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "their delay", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being delayed. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The project's success hinges on minimizing their delay in delivering the components."

Common error

Avoid using "their delay" if the reason for the delay is unclear or if other factors contributed significantly. Instead, specify the source of the delay to ensure accuracy. For example, instead of saying "their delay caused the problem", consider "the supplier's delay caused the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their delay" functions as a noun phrase, with "their" acting as a possessive pronoun modifying the noun "delay". It identifies a specific instance or period of lateness or postponement attributed to a particular group, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "their delay" is a grammatically sound and usable English expression that functions as a noun phrase indicating a postponement caused by a specific group or individuals. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly frequent, it commonly appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "their lateness" and "their tardiness", offering subtle variations in meaning. When using "their delay", clarity is key, especially in attributing responsibility. Common errors involve misattributing the cause. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for a wide range of formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their tardiness

Focuses specifically on being late or unpunctual.

their lateness

Similar to tardiness, but can also imply a later stage or period.

their procrastination

Highlights the act of delaying or postponing something intentionally.

their postponement

Emphasizes the act of rescheduling an event to a later time.

their holdup

Indicates a cause for the delay, often implying an obstruction.

their setback

Suggests a temporary impediment that delays progress.

their hold-up

Similar to 'their holdup' but often refers to an event that causes the delay.

their deferral

Formal term for postponing something to a later date.

the time they took

Focuses on the duration of the delay.

their lag

Indicates a slower pace or trailing behind.

FAQs

What does "their delay" mean?

"Their delay" refers to a situation where a group or individuals are late or have postponed something.

What can I say instead of "their delay"?

You can use alternatives like "their lateness", "their tardiness", or "their procrastination" depending on the context.

How do I use "their delay" in a sentence?

Example: "Because of their delay, we missed the deadline."

What's the difference between "their delay" and "the delay"?

"Their delay" specifies that the delay is caused by a particular group, while "the delay" refers to a delay in general without specifying the cause.