there will be a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"there will be a delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to inform someone that something is going to take a longer amount of time than previously expected. For example, you might say: "I'm sorry, there will be a delay in the delivery of your order as our supplier is experiencing unexpected delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Now, the wave will take a few seconds to get to you, so there will be a delay between your friend's shake and your reaction.

Cornell University

Even with a fairly significant increase in oil prices there will be a delay before production in the United States can grow and so we're fairly comfortable that the United States will not grow production in 2017.

Forbes

However, there will be a delay in boiling inception during decompressed flow.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

NOTE: There will be a delay of approximately 50 minutes before your new password takes effect.

Cornell University

There will be a delay before the third set as Murray is headed to the bathroom.

The New York Times

There will be a delay before legal systems catch up with developments in the IT sector.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

There'll be a delay as the ref tries to restore order, the players squaring up to each other before exchanging stroppy pushes.

The Guardian - Sport

He added, "We're letting the facts guide us, but based on what we know at this point we don't think there'll be a delay to Cymbalta".

The New York Times

This morning, Dropbox co-founder and CTO Arash Ferdowsi posted in the Dropbox forum, "hi all, we're experiencing heavy load which is resulting in intermittent slowness/downtime. in some cases there'll be a delay when syncing files through the desktop client but the delay shouldn't last more than a minute or two.

TechCrunch

"What they are closing are units that can quickly respond to these problems, and once they are lost there will be a long delay in addressing outbreaks that may arise," Mr. Mangan said.

The New York Times

The Foundation said RS customers outside Europe (Allied in the US) can order a Model A now but noted there will be "a short delay" in processing their order — owing to waiting for compliance paperwork.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there will be a delay", provide a reason for the delay to manage expectations and maintain transparency. For example, "There will be a delay due to unforeseen technical issues".

Common error

Avoid simply stating "there will be a delay" without providing context or a reason. This can lead to frustration and a lack of understanding from the audience. Always explain the reason, if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there will be a delay" functions as a statement announcing a future postponement or extension of time. As supported by Ludwig, it clearly informs the recipient about an expected change in timing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "there will be a delay" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to inform someone about an expected postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application across contexts like news, academia, and general announcements. When using this phrase, it’s best practice to provide a reason to manage expectations effectively. Consider using alternatives such as "a delay is anticipated" or "expect a delay" for variety, but remember that clarity and context are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expect a delay

A more direct way of telling someone to anticipate a delay.

a delay is anticipated

Emphasizes the expectation of a delay rather than stating it as a certainty.

we are experiencing delays

Focuses on the experience of the delay, often used from a business perspective.

a slight setback is expected

Substitutes the word 'delay' with 'setback', softening the impact of the news.

things are running behind schedule

Indicates that the delay is part of a larger issue of being behind schedule.

the process has been held up

Highlights that something has stopped or slowed down the progress.

due to unforeseen circumstances, a delay will occur

Attributes the delay to unexpected events, adding a layer of explanation.

the timeline has been extended

Indicates the duration of something will be longer than previously anticipated.

progress has been suspended

Emphasizes a temporary halt in advancement, implying the delay could be longer.

please allow for extra time

Suggests planning for a longer duration to accommodate delays.

FAQs

How can I use "there will be a delay" in a sentence?

You can use "there will be a delay" to inform someone that something is going to take longer than expected. For example, "There will be a delay in processing your application due to a high volume of submissions."

What phrases are similar to "there will be a delay"?

Similar phrases include "a delay is anticipated", "expect a delay", or "things are running behind schedule".

Is it better to say "there is a delay" or "there will be a delay"?

"There is a delay" indicates an immediate, present delay. "There will be a delay" suggests a future or anticipated delay. The best choice depends on the timing you want to convey.

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

While both imply something is being held back, "delay" generally refers to a temporary pause or extension of time. A "setback" is a more significant obstacle that may hinder progress more severely; a "slight setback is expected" can be a way to reduce the impact of the message.