undue delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undue delay" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means an excessive or unreasonable amount of time passing before something happens. Example: The victim's family pleaded for justice, stating that the trial had been postponed multiple times, causing undue delay in the case.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is infra dig to cause "undue delay".

The New Yorker

Just how "undue delay" is defined is something that the British authorities have not made clear.

The New York Times

"Undue delay" is the sort of concept that gets the lawyers excited.

The Economist

It also said that patients were entitled to seek treatment abroad, unless it could be provided domestically without "undue delay".

The Economist

However, any restraints must be based on "sufficient scientific evidence", and there must be no "undue delay".

The Economist

The rules require phone companies and Internet service providers to inform customers of any data breach "without undue delay".

The New York Times - Tech

Rule 6-7 of the Rules of Golf addresses pace of play, saying a player "must play without undue delay".

The New York Times

The memorandum of understanding signed by Jordan in August 2005 promised a "fair and public hearing without undue delay by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal".

The Guardian

A detailed memorandum of understanding, which the three parties agreed, makes plain that agreement over junior doctors' new terms and conditions must be reached "without undue delay".

The Guardian

Bob Rice, the Royals' vice president for ballpark operations, said there was no undue delay in getting the injured woman into an ambulance.

The New York Times - Sports

The main one will be that the Dell board's postponement of the annual meeting to elect directors to Oct. 17 is an undue delay under Delaware law.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legal or contractual obligations, use "undue delay" to clearly indicate a violation of expected timelines or a breach of duty. For instance, 'The contract stipulates that any "undue delay" in project completion will result in penalties'.

Common error

Avoid using "undue delay" when simply referring to a normal or expected waiting period. "Undue delay" specifically implies that the delay is excessive, unjustified, or inappropriate for the given circumstances. For instance, waiting for a scheduled appointment is a delay, but it is not necessarily an "undue delay".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undue delay" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "undue" modifies the noun "delay". It identifies a specific type of delay, one that is considered excessive or inappropriate. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undue delay" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a delay that is considered excessive, inappropriate, or unjustified. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, it carries a neutral to formal tone, often used to express concern or disapproval. When using "undue delay", ensure the context clearly indicates that the delay is not merely a standard waiting period, but rather an excessive and potentially problematic one. Remember to consider related terms like "excessive delay" or ""unjustified postponement"" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unreasonable deferral

Similar to 'unjustified postponement', but focuses on the act of deferring.

unjustified postponement

Emphasizes the lack of valid reasons for the delay.

inappropriate deferment

Highlights the unsuitability of the delay in the given context.

unnecessary waiting period

Highlights the inactivity caused by the delay.

excessive procrastination

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of delaying rather than the delay itself.

needless holdup

Suggests the delay could have been easily avoided.

gratuitous tardiness

Highlights the unnecessary nature of the lateness.

superfluous dragging

Emphasizes the unnecessary lengthening of a process.

unwarranted interruption

Focuses on the disruption caused by the delay.

avoidable setback

Presents the delay as a preventable obstacle.

FAQs

How to use "undue delay" in a sentence?

You can use "undue delay" to describe situations where something is delayed for an unreasonable or excessive amount of time. For example, "The court proceedings suffered from "unjustified postponement", leading to "undue delay" in the resolution of the case".

What can I say instead of "undue delay"?

You can use alternatives like "excessive delay", "unreasonable delay", or "inordinate delay" depending on the context. Each option emphasizes the inappropriateness or excessiveness of the delay.

Which is correct, "undue delay" or "unnecessary delay"?

Both "undue delay" and "unnecessary delay" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Undue delay" implies that the delay is excessive or inappropriate given the circumstances, while "unnecessary delay" suggests that the delay could have been avoided. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What's the difference between "undue delay" and "inordinate delay"?

"Undue delay" suggests that the delay is inappropriate or excessive given the specific context or expectations. "Inordinate delay" emphasizes that the delay is unusually or excessively long. While similar, "inordinate delay" often carries a stronger sense of extreme lengthiness.