we are experiencing a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we are experiencing a delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you need to inform someone about a hold-up or postponement in a process or schedule. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are experiencing a delay in the delivery of your order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

By 11 13 a.m., Nasdaq warned market participants that it was experiencing a delay in delivering the opening price.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, Polar Rose's most recent blog post says that the application is "experiencing a delay in import of photos from Flickr".

TechCrunch

On Monday afternoon, CoSport's Web site published an alert that read "due to extremely high call volume, we are experiencing some delays in call processing".

The New York Times - Sports

Passengers at London's Heathrow Airport are experiencing a fourth day of delays and cancellations because of snow.

BBC

"I think what we are experiencing is some sort of delay in the usual rush for rentals," he said.

The New York Times - Style

We apologise for the delay but we're experiencing extremely high call volume.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We are seeing a very small number of incidents where mobile users are experiencing load delay when onboarding to the new Contacts app as a result of high demand," a spokesperson tells us.

TechCrunch

Both models, with or without 3G, are experiencing the same delay.

TechCrunch

La Guardia and Newark airports are experiencing heavy delays.

The Guardian

Passenger services are experiencing long delays and the sale of tickets to travellers without reservations has been suspended, The Guardian reported.

Independent

This was seen even when factors such as stage, co-morbidity and PS were taken into account, which might indicate that older patients are experiencing unwarranted delays.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we are experiencing a delay", clearly state the cause and estimated duration of the delay to manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "we are experiencing a delay" as a way to deflect responsibility. Instead, provide transparent information about the situation and what steps are being taken to resolve it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are experiencing a delay" functions as a statement of fact, informing an audience that a process or event is not proceeding on schedule. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and suitable for professional use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are experiencing a delay" is a common and grammatically sound way to communicate that a process or event is not proceeding as scheduled. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct. It is frequently found in news media, but also appears in scientific and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide clear information about the cause and expected duration of the delay. Consider alternative phrases like "we are facing a delay" or "there is a delay" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are facing a delay

Uses "facing" instead of "experiencing", implying a direct confrontation with the delay.

we are encountering a delay

Replaces "experiencing" with "encountering", suggesting an unexpected or problematic delay.

there is a delay

Impersonal construction focusing on the existence of the delay rather than the experience of it.

we are running behind schedule

Indicates that progress is slower than planned.

we are behind schedule

A more concise way of saying that progress is slower than planned.

we are having some issues

A more general statement that something is not working as expected.

we are running late

Implies that something will not be completed on time.

there has been a setback

Indicates an unexpected obstacle that has slowed progress.

progress is being hampered

Suggests that something is impeding the rate of advancement.

we anticipate a hold-up

Expresses expectation of a future delay.

FAQs

What does "we are experiencing a delay" mean?

It means that there is a hold-up or postponement in a process, schedule, or delivery. It's a way of informing someone that something is not happening on time.

What can I say instead of "we are experiencing a delay"?

You can use alternatives like "we are facing a delay", "we are encountering a delay", or "there is a delay" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "we are experiencing delays" or "there are delays"?

Both are grammatically correct. "We are experiencing delays" emphasizes the impact on the speaker or organization. "There are delays" is more impersonal and focuses on the existence of the delays themselves.

How do I follow up after saying "we are experiencing a delay"?

Provide specifics about the delay's cause, estimated duration, and any steps being taken to mitigate its impact. Offer alternative solutions or timelines if possible.