to avoid delays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to avoid delays" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measures taken to prevent or minimize any interruptions or slowdowns in a process or timeline. Example: "Please submit your application early to avoid delays in processing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We now need to look at creative new ways to avoid delays".

The New York Times

She made a point of arriving a night early to avoid delays.

The New Yorker

Make the Student Loans Company aware of the change to avoid delays in payments.

The Guardian

Hiring more staff would surely help to avoid delays and publish grades earlier.

The Guardian - Opinion

Create and stick to a recruitment schedule before advertising to avoid delays in recruitment.

The Guardian

The Bush administration is urging people to act by this Friday, to avoid delays on Jan . 1

The New York Times

Cambridge, in light blue/turquoise/duck egg, will take the northern line and hope to avoid delays.

The Guardian - Sport

Behind the scenes, many e-tailers are taking control of crucial inventory and warehouse functions, trying to avoid delays.

The New York Times

Yet, experts warn the action may not be enough to avoid delays when the hectic summer season arrives.

The New York Times - Travel

Those upgrades would allow Amtrak to avoid delays by bypassing slower-moving Long Island Rail Road trains.

The New York Times

A parliamentary vote on the evidence-based infrastructure priorities would have to take place within six months of their publication, to avoid delays.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or procedures, use "to avoid delays" to clearly communicate the purpose of a step. For example, "Submit all required documents at once to avoid delays in processing your application."

Common error

Avoid using "to avoid delays" in sentences where the action's purpose is already obvious. Instead of "Arrive early to avoid delays", simply state "Arrive early" if the context implies that arriving early prevents being late.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to avoid delays" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action, indicating that the action is performed in order to prevent delays from occurring. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to avoid delays" is a grammatically sound and frequently used purpose connector, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to justify actions by highlighting the intention to prevent disruptions or slowdowns, making it versatile across various contexts. While it is most prevalent in news, media, and scientific publications, writers should use it judiciously to prevent redundancy, especially in simple sentences where the purpose is self-evident. Alternatives such as "to prevent holdups" or "to ensure timeliness" can add nuance, but the directness of "to avoid delays" often provides clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to prevent holdups

Replaces "delays" with a more informal synonym, focusing on stopping something from progressing.

to preclude lateness

Uses a more formal word choice to emphasize preventing something from being late.

to forestall setbacks

Emphasizes preventing negative events or reversals in progress.

to mitigate disruptions

Focuses on lessening the impact of interruptions rather than complete prevention.

to avert impediments

Uses more formal vocabulary to highlight avoiding obstacles or hindrances.

to circumvent slowdowns

Suggests finding a way around a reduction in speed or activity.

in order to expedite

Focuses on speeding up a process, implicitly avoiding potential delays.

to ensure timeliness

Shifts the focus to guaranteeing something happens on time, avoiding delays as a consequence.

to maintain momentum

Highlights the importance of keeping things moving forward, preventing anything that might slow them down.

to streamline operations

Focuses on improving efficiency to prevent potential delays by making processes smoother and more effective.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to avoid delays" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "to prevent holdups", "to ensure timeliness", or "to expedite the process" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to avoid delays" in writing?

It's appropriate when you need to explicitly state that a particular action is taken to prevent or minimize disruptions or slowdowns. It clarifies the reason behind a step or recommendation.

What are some common situations where people try "to avoid delays"?

Common situations include submitting paperwork early, arriving on time for appointments, following instructions carefully, and using efficient methods for completing tasks.

Is there a more formal way to say "to avoid delays"?

Yes, you could use phrases like "to mitigate disruptions" or "to avert impediments" for a more formal tone.