what caused the delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what caused the delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the reasons behind a delay in a process, event, or situation. Example: "Can you please explain what caused the delay in the project timeline?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

What caused the delay?

The New York Times - Arts

It's also what caused the delay; I had to almost build myself up again".

The Guardian - Music

Drivers are now accustomed to the phenomenon of the phantom accident: three lanes of tightly packed cars inch forward for miles, and then, suddenly, everyone is going sixty again, with no visible sign of what caused the delay.

The New Yorker

However, what caused the delay?

TechCrunch

Health regulator Monitor declined to specify what caused the delay.

BBC

No word was given what caused the delay, but it probably has something to do with the company lossing $4.1 million over the last three months.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He said that the most frustrating part was not knowing what caused the delays.

The New York Times

The pay scale that causes Cao such pride is what caused the delays.

Science Magazine

The question remains as to what causes the delay to the commitment of cells to the first round of proliferation.

Plosone

One of the most intriguing questions in M.tuberculosis research is understanding what causes the delay in mounting an effective adaptive immune response, since accumulation of activated T cells does not occur until D15 in the M.tuberculosis-infected lungs.

Plosone

They had to go around the block to return to me, he explained, and that was what caused the 10-minute delay.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking "what caused the delay", be specific about the context to ensure a clear understanding of which delay you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "what caused the delay" without specifying which delay you're referring to. Provide context to prevent ambiguity. For example, instead of asking "what caused the delay?", ask "what caused the delay in the project timeline?".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what caused the delay" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about the reason or origin of a specific delay. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is perfectly acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what caused the delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used interrogative, as verified by Ludwig AI. It serves to inquire about the reasons behind a specific delay across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and general discourse. While versatile, it is best practice to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases offer alternative ways to ask about the delay, each with subtle nuances in emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. Be specific in your writing to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what were the reasons for the delay?

Replaces "caused" with "reasons for", focusing on the reasons behind the delay.

what was the reason behind the delay?

Similar to the first alternative, but emphasizes the reasoning.

what led to the delay?

Uses "led to" to indicate a sequence of events.

what factors contributed to the delay?

Uses "factors contributed to" to highlight the contributing elements.

what was responsible for the delay?

Employs "responsible for" to assign accountability for the delay.

what brought about the delay?

Substitutes "caused" with "brought about", offering a slightly more formal tone.

what explains the delay?

Focuses on what can explain or clarify the delay.

can you explain the reasons for the delay?

Changes the question to a request for explanation.

what precipitated the delay?

Replaces "caused" with "precipitated", suggesting a sudden onset.

what was the origin of the delay?

Focuses on the origin or source of the delay.

FAQs

How can I use "what caused the delay" in a sentence?

You can use "what caused the delay" to inquire about the reasons for a postponement or holdup. For example: "The shipment was late; what caused the delay?"

What can I say instead of "what caused the delay"?

Alternatives include: "what led to the delay", "what were the reasons for the delay", or "what factors contributed to the delay".

Is it correct to say "what was the cause of the delay" instead of "what caused the delay"?

Yes, both "what caused the delay" and "what was the cause of the delay" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The former is more concise.

What is the difference between "what caused the delay" and "why was there a delay"?

"What caused the delay" directly asks for the reason or factor that resulted in the delay. "Why was there a delay" is a broader question that seeks an explanation for the delay's occurrence, which could include underlying circumstances or justifications.