timetable has slipped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "timetable has slipped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a schedule or deadline has been delayed or pushed back. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project timetable has slipped, and we will need to adjust our deadlines accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

For a start, agriculture is not the only issue on which the timetable has slipped.

The Economist

That timetable has slipped by several years because the government has been reluctant to allow sufficiently attractive alternatives for workers to give up the security (and the pilfering opportunities) of a state job.

The Economist

The timetable has slipped for plans by the National Grid NGG) to develop power lines to link up with new energy generation projects in north Wales.

BBC

Originally the Commission wanted the new CFP to be in place by 1 January this year, but the timetable has slipped.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The GAO report concluded that since 2007 development costs had risen by 26% and the timetable had slipped by five years.

The Economist

Jackson adds that it might occur when it became clear the Iraq timetable had slipped, "one should delay Afghanistan, but we were part of this great Nato plan, with the great impetus behind it.

The Guardian

The actual timetable for demutualisation has slipped a bit.

The Guardian - Money

Although the inquiry team, led by Sir John Chilcot, has never set a target date or deadline for publication, it is generally accepted that the timetable for publication has slipped on several occasions.

BBC

The proposed timetable for the company's £1.6bn takeover by Deutsche Bahn has slipped by a week, following discussions with the European Commission.

The Guardian - Business

Richard Garside of the Centre for Crime and Justice Studies said: "The ministry is continuing to pay G4S and Serco for the supply of electronic tagging equipment months after the contracts should have been terminated, because the timetable for the next generation of satellite tagging technology has slipped and slipped.

The Guardian

His halo has slipped.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about delays, specify the extent of the delay, such as "The timetable has slipped by two weeks", to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures the reason for the delay. Instead of saying "The timetable has slipped," consider specifying why: "The timetable has slipped due to unforeseen circumstances."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "timetable has slipped" functions as a statement indicating that a planned schedule or deadline is behind or delayed. It's often used in project management, news reporting, and general discussions about progress and timelines, as evidenced by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "timetable has slipped" is a correct and usable English expression that communicates a delay in a schedule. As supported by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, functioning to inform about missed deadlines or progress setbacks. While grammatically sound, it’s useful to provide context regarding the cause and extent of the delay. For alternative phrasing, options include "schedule has been delayed" or "deadline has been extended". Consider avoiding overly passive constructions to maintain clarity. Overall, this phrase offers a straightforward way to discuss project delays or scheduling issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

schedule has been delayed

Replaces "slipped" with the more direct "delayed", emphasizing the postponement.

deadline has been extended

Focuses specifically on the extension of a deadline, rather than the entire timetable.

project is behind schedule

Indicates that the overall project is not progressing as planned.

progress has slowed down

Highlights the reduced pace of advancement, implying a delay.

timeline has been adjusted

Suggests a deliberate alteration of the timeline, rather than an unintended slip.

program is running late

Similar to "behind schedule", specifically applies to programs or events.

targets have been pushed back

Emphasizes the postponement of specific targets or goals within the timetable.

milestones have been deferred

Indicates that key milestones or checkpoints have been delayed.

the plan is off track

A more general expression indicating deviation from the intended path.

the rollout has been postponed

Focuses on delaying the rollout of a program, product or service.

FAQs

What does it mean when a timetable has slipped?

It means the schedule is behind or delayed. Things are not happening according to the original plan, and the projected completion date is pushed further into the future.

What can I say instead of "timetable has slipped"?

You can use alternatives like "schedule has been delayed", "deadline has been extended", or "project is behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the deadline slipped"?

Yes, "the deadline slipped" is a correct and common way to say that a deadline was missed or had to be extended. It's similar in meaning to saying the "timetable has slipped".

What are some common reasons why a "timetable might slip"?

Common reasons include unforeseen circumstances, unexpected delays in related processes, resource constraints, or changes in project scope. It's often used when the precise cause isn't specified or is complex.