this is just a delaying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is just a delaying" is not correct in English.
It seems to be missing a noun after "delaying" to complete the thought. You can use it when discussing a situation where something is being postponed or held up, but it needs to be rephrased for clarity. Example: "This is just a delaying tactic to avoid making a decision."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet this is just a delaying tactic.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In an interview with Pitchfork, the lead partner of Michelman & Robinson, the law firm representing David Lowery, said: "We are very confident that this is just a delay tactic and we are going to get to the merits".

Vice

One cannot help but suspect that the process is just a delaying tactic designed to put claimants off appealing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is just a recipe for yet more delay, for having this issue running up and down the parliamentary system when there are indeed other issues that we should be discussing," said Ann Widdecombe, an antihunting Conservative.

The New York Times

So alfalfa, cotton, and dandelion honey will crystallize much faster than sage, longan, or Tupelo honey.[7] Stirring these types of honey is just a delay tactic.

WikiHow

Jonathan Grella, a spokesman for Mr. DeLay, said, "This is just an effective tool, and we have said numerous times that we have to do whatever it takes to protect our service members from this rogue court".

The New York Times

It's just a delaying tactic.

The Guardian

"Too often," he said, "it's just a delaying tactic".

The New York Times

"Ultimately this [the supermarket] will get built, it's just a delay," he added.

BBC

To me, you know, it's just a delay".

The New York Times

"That's just a delay tactic to hold off the inevitable," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to convey a postponement, use phrases like "delaying tactic", "temporary hold", or "brief interruption" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "delaying" without a noun to complete the phrase. For instance, instead of saying "This is just a delaying", specify what exactly is being delayed by using "This is just a delaying tactic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is just a delaying" functions as an incomplete statement. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect, requiring a noun to complete its meaning (e.g., "delaying tactic"). The phrase, when corrected, typically serves to characterize an action or situation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is just a delaying" is grammatically incomplete and requires a noun to convey a clear meaning, such as "delaying tactic". Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect in its isolated form. When corrected, the phrase is used to describe an action as a postponement, often with a critical tone. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts. For more accurate and impactful communication, consider using alternatives like "this is just a delaying tactic", "this is simply a postponement", or "this is merely a temporary setback".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is merely a delaying tactic

This alternative clarifies that the delay serves a specific purpose.

this is simply a postponement

This option uses a more direct noun to describe the act of delaying.

this is only a temporary setback

This phrase frames the delay as a minor obstacle.

this is just a temporary hold

This suggests a brief pause or suspension.

this is merely a brief interruption

This emphasizes the short duration of the delay.

this is only a short delay

This alternative uses 'short delay' to underline the limited duration of the situation.

this amounts to stalling

This version describes the action as an intentional effort to postpone.

this is essentially procrastination

This alternative describes the delay as avoiding or postponing something.

this is nothing more than a deferral

This version stresses that the delay is simply an act of postponement.

this is effectively a moratorium

This expresses that the current state is a temporary prohibition of activity.

FAQs

How to use the term "delaying tactic" in a sentence?

You can use "delaying tactic" to describe an action taken to postpone or hinder something. For example, "The filibuster was seen as a "delaying tactic" to prevent the vote".

What's a more grammatically sound alternative to "this is just a delaying"?

Consider using phrases like "this is just a "delaying tactic"", "this is simply a "postponement"", or "this is merely a "temporary setback"" for better clarity.

Is "this is just a delaying" grammatically correct?

No, "this is just a delaying" is not grammatically correct. It requires a noun after "delaying" to complete the meaning, such as ""delaying tactic"".

What's the difference between "this is just a delaying tactic" and "this is just a setback"?

"This is just a "delaying tactic"" implies an intentional act to postpone something, while "this is just a "setback"" suggests a temporary obstacle or reversal in progress.