unprecedented delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"unprecedented delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It could be used to describe a situation when something is taking longer than usual or longer than expected. For example, "The unprecedented delay in the project's completion caused a lot of frustration among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The continuing legal dispute over the rival referendums has caused an unprecedented delay in giving absentee voters their mail-in ballots, which by law the elections board should have sent out starting more than two weeks ago.

The New York Times

The unprecedented delay in announcing the Sunday polls results has caused anxiety in the country with opposition parties and some civil society organisations alleging it is a ploy to rig the election in favour of the ruling party.

BBC

The unprecedented delay benefits no one who cares for justice.

Huffington Post

The Ravens had pulled to a 28-6 lead over the San Francisco 49ers early in the third quarter when the power outage occurred, causing the unprecedented delay.

Los Angeles Times

This unprecedented delay could have dangerous consequences not only because it creates uncertainty in our courts, but also because it undermines the traditions of our constitutional system of judicial succession for the highest court in the land.

Huffington Post

On May 17, CSB Chairman, Dr. Rafael Moure-Erasentent a letter to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Barbara Boxer (D-CA) expressing frustration and concern about the "unprecedented delay and harmful delay" in granting members of the CSB investigative team access to the site.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The government seems unwilling to budge, and Labour has resorted to virtually unprecedented delaying tactics.

The New York Times

The same is repeated until the data reaches the final destination thus resulting in unprecedented delays.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

There have been "unprecedented delays" on the motorway and surrounding roads today after an accident involving two lorries led to a diesel spillage.

BBC

First Bus says it is facing "unprecedented delays" to its North Somerset services in the aftermath of the earlier accident on the M5.

BBC

In what one television executive called an unprecedented data delay, Nielsen Media Research failed to provide overnight TV ratings for four days this week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unprecedented delay" sparingly for greater impact. Overusing it can diminish its significance, especially when describing commonplace delays.

Common error

Avoid using "unprecedented delay" for minor or common delays. The term should be reserved for situations that are genuinely exceptional and without prior parallel.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unprecedented delay" functions as a noun phrase, where "unprecedented" modifies the noun "delay". It describes a situation where something is postponed or takes longer than expected, with the added emphasis of being unique in its occurrence. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unprecedented delay" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, per Ludwig AI, used to describe a delay that is unique and exceptional. While not extremely frequent, it appears most commonly in news and media contexts, signifying its role in highlighting significant disruptions. It is essential to use this phrase judiciously, reserving it for delays that genuinely warrant the 'unprecedented' label. Alternatives like "unusual postponement" or "extraordinary deferral" may be more appropriate for less exceptional situations. As such, understanding the context and impact of a delay is crucial in determining when to deploy this powerful phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual postponement

Replaces 'delay' with 'postponement' and 'unprecedented' with 'unusual', emphasizing the act of delaying and its atypical nature.

extraordinary deferral

Substitutes 'delay' with 'deferral' and 'unprecedented' with 'extraordinary', heightening the sense of something exceptional being put off.

exceptional waiting period

Replaces 'delay' with 'waiting period', focusing on the duration of waiting and using 'exceptional' to describe it.

unforeseen holdup

Replaces 'delay' with 'holdup', implying an obstruction, and 'unprecedented' with 'unforeseen', highlighting the unexpectedness.

remarkable lag

Uses 'lag' instead of 'delay' to denote a period of inactivity or slowness, and 'remarkable' to stress the significance of the lag.

historic deferment

Swaps 'delay' for 'deferment' and 'unprecedented' for 'historic', suggesting a delay that is important in history.

unparalleled interruption

Changes 'delay' to 'interruption' and 'unprecedented' to 'unparalleled', conveying a sense of unique disruption.

unique standstill

Replaces 'delay' with 'standstill', suggesting a cessation of progress, and 'unprecedented' with 'unique' for emphasis.

atypical slowdown

Uses 'slowdown' instead of 'delay', indicating a reduction in speed, and 'atypical' instead of 'unprecedented'.

novel abeyance

Replaces 'delay' with 'abeyance', meaning a state of temporary disuse, and 'unprecedented' with 'novel', implying something new or unusual.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "unprecedented delay" in a sentence?

To effectively use "unprecedented delay", provide context explaining what is delayed and why it is considered unprecedented. For example, "The unprecedented delay in the election results caused widespread anxiety".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "unprecedented delay"?

Alternatives to "unprecedented delay" include "unusual postponement", "extraordinary deferral", or "exceptional waiting period", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "unprecedented delay" to describe a common issue?

No, "unprecedented delay" should be reserved for situations that are genuinely exceptional and without prior parallel. Describing a common issue as such diminishes the phrase's impact and accuracy.

What distinguishes "unprecedented delay" from a typical "delay"?

The term "unprecedented" indicates that the delay is unlike anything experienced before, marking it as a unique occurrence. A typical "delay" is a more general term for lateness, without necessarily being exceptional.