they were delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone or something has experienced a postponement or setback in time. Example: "Due to heavy traffic, they were delayed in arriving at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

They were delayed.

The New York Times

Reforms would be more difficult the longer they were delayed.

The Guardian - Business

But they were delayed while the New York State Restaurant Association took the city to court.

The New York Times

They were delayed in their departure from Chicago to their next series in Boston.

The New York Times - Sports

But they were delayed while the restaurant association took the city to court.

The New York Times

Although Confederate forces were victorious, they were delayed there long enough for Union reinforcements to reach Washington, D.C.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Then this spring, Pulama recanted; they were delaying that plan.

The New York Times - Magazine

Israeli officials said they were delaying any expansion of the war until the negotiations succeeded or failed.

The New York Times

When radar signals travel through the atmosphere, they are delayed by the presence of water vapor.

Stanford University

Everyone is impatient to start, but they are delayed waiting for the latecomers.

The New Yorker

"Riders want information most when they are delayed," said Gene Russianoff, a lawyer for the Straphangers Campaign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "they were delayed", ensure the context clearly indicates what caused the delay and its impact. This adds clarity and strengthens the sentence.

Common error

Avoid using "they were delayed" without specifying the subject or cause of the delay. For example, instead of saying "They were delayed", clarify by stating "Their flight was delayed due to bad weather."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were delayed" primarily functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a group experienced a delay. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing transportation setbacks, procedural postponements, and event reschedulings. This passive structure emphasizes the action's effect on the subject rather than the actor causing the delay.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

23%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were delayed" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a postponement or setback experienced by a group. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, from news reports to scientific articles. It is characterized by a neutral tone, making it suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, clarity is crucial; specifying the cause and impact of the delay strengthens the sentence. Common alternatives include "they were held up" and "they experienced a setback". Overall, "they were delayed" is a versatile and reliable phrase for describing disruptions to schedules or timelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they faced a delay

Directly indicates the encounter with a delay.

they were held up

Implies an obstruction caused the delay.

they experienced a setback

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

they were running late

Highlights the discrepancy between the expected and actual time.

they were set back

Highlights the action that caused the delay.

they ran behind schedule

Emphasizes the chronological aspect of the delay.

their arrival was postponed

Specifically points to a delayed arrival.

their progress was hampered

Shifts the focus to the impediment of advancement.

they were rescheduled

Highlights that the event was assigned a new time.

they were adjourned

Describes the interruption or suspension of a meeting to a future time.

FAQs

What does "they were delayed" mean?

The phrase "they were delayed" means that a person or group of people experienced a postponement or setback, causing them to arrive or complete something later than expected.

How can I use "they were delayed" in a sentence?

You can use "they were delayed" to describe a situation where something or someone was held up, such as: "Due to heavy traffic, "they were delayed" in arriving at the meeting."

What can I say instead of "they were delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "they were held up", "they experienced a setback", or "they ran behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is "they were delayed" formal or informal?

"They were delayed" is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The level of formality often depends more on the surrounding vocabulary than on the phrase itself.