which was delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to provide additional information about a subject that experienced a delay, often in contexts related to events, deliveries, or processes. Example: "The shipment, which was delayed due to bad weather, finally arrived yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study, which was delayed repeatedly, was commissioned in 1996 by the corporation.

The New York Times

This is Houston's home opener, which was delayed by Hurricane Ike.

The New York Times

He is starting his senior season, which was delayed a year by a knee injury.

The New York Times - Sports

Jury selection, which was delayed Monday for debate on the manslaughter issue, is to begin Wednesday.

The New York Times

Rank-and-file members still have to approve the deal, which was delayed because of the state's budget crisis.

The New York Times

As they waited for their ride to the Garden, which was delayed in traffic, Mr. Silver paced nervously.

The New York Times

He remained in prison until the sentencing, which was delayed a month, after the Charlie Hebdo murders.

The New Yorker

I remember my family sitting watching the tv and waiting for his release, which was delayed for hours.

The Guardian

There was plenty of time in the 1930s for arguing about the proposed library, Firestone, the construction of which was delayed until after V-J Day.

Princeton University

Like the anti-subsidy tariffs, the anti-dumping decision, which was delayed from March to this week, is preliminary.

The New York Times

The fifth season of "Mad Men," which was delayed from a summer start, is to begin in March.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was delayed", ensure the clause provides essential context rather than a mere aside. This helps maintain clarity and flow in your writing. For example, instead of "The project, which was delayed, is now complete", consider "The project, "delayed due to" unforeseen circumstances, is now complete."

Common error

A common mistake is using "that" instead of "which" when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. Remember, "which" clauses add extra information but aren't essential to the sentence's core meaning, whereas "that" clauses are essential. Use commas with "which" to indicate this nonessential nature. For example, "The meeting that was delayed is now rescheduled" implies a specific meeting out of several; "The meeting, "which was delayed", is now rescheduled" adds extra information about the meeting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was delayed" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause. It provides additional, non-essential information about the noun it modifies. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically sound and common. The clause adds context but doesn't define the noun's identity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which was delayed" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to add non-essential information about a delay. Ludwig AI confirms its broad acceptability. It functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause and is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news reports to academic papers. Remember to use commas to set off the "which" clause, distinguishing it from essential "that" clauses. While alternatives like "that was postponed" exist, "which was delayed" provides a clear and versatile way to convey a postponement. Being mindful of these nuances will improve the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was postponed

Substitutes "delayed" with "postponed", indicating a formal rescheduling to a later time.

that was held up

Suggests an obstruction or impediment that caused the delay, often implying an external cause.

that experienced a delay

Replaces the relative pronoun "which" with "that" and uses a more direct verb phrase, emphasizing the experience of delay.

that ran behind schedule

Emphasizes the deviation from the planned timeline.

that faced a setback

Uses "setback" to highlight an obstacle that caused the delay, focusing on the impediment itself.

suffering from a postponement

Emphasizes the negative impact or consequence of the delay.

that encountered a hindrance

Replaces "delayed" with "encountered a hindrance", indicating an obstacle that slowed progress.

that met with impediments

Similar to "hindrance" but more formal, suggesting significant obstacles.

subject to a deferment

Uses a more formal term, "deferment", to suggest a temporary suspension or postponement.

that was adjourned

Specifically suggests a temporary suspension of proceedings, often used in formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "which was delayed" in a sentence?

Use "which was delayed" to add non-essential, descriptive information about something that experienced a postponement. For example, "The concert, "which was delayed" due to weather, will now take place next week."

What's a formal alternative to "which was delayed"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "which was postponed" or "subject to a deferment" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it always necessary to include a reason when using "which was delayed"?

No, providing a reason is optional. You can simply state that something ""which was delayed"" without specifying why, if the reason is irrelevant or already understood.

What is the difference between "that was delayed" and "which was delayed"?

"That was delayed" introduces a restrictive clause that is essential to the sentence's meaning, while ""which was delayed"" introduces a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional, non-essential information. The latter should be set off with commas.