with a delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation where something has been late, especially for a reason that was unexpected. For example, "The bus was supposed to arrive at 10am, but it came with a delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They did form saccular otoliths, but with a delay.

Advances in Space Research

They formed saccular otoliths but with a delay.

Advances in Space Biology and Medicine

Use of nifedipine was associated with a delay >34 weeks.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

With a delay, "you begin then to make it an artificial situation.

The New York Times

You can only presume it will be broadcast with a delay.

The Guardian

The prices are pegged to oil prices with a delay of six months.

The New York Times

One of the book's techniques is to describe something from two sides, but with a delay.

The Guardian - Books

GSR has a rapid response profile with a delay of 1 3 seconds after stimulus onset53.

Nature

Finally they try Richardson, but with a delay handoff it looks like.

The New York Times

For these, and sometimes other reasons, most blasting operations are now conducted with a delay system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A ground reference was undertaken with the same biological setup with a delay of 4 d.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "with a delay", ensure the context clearly explains what is being delayed and, if possible, the reason for the delay. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "with a delay" without clarifying the reason behind it. Simply stating something happened "with a delay" can leave the reader wondering why the delay occurred. Provide context or explanation to enhance understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate that an action or event occurred later than expected. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with a delay" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something is happening later than expected. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in scientific and news reporting. Its versatility makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, remember to provide sufficient context, as its meaning can be ambiguous without further explanation. While alternatives such as "belatedly" or "subsequently" exist, "with a delay" offers a direct and easily understood way to communicate that an event has been postponed or has experienced a setback.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a delayed basis

Highlights the application of a delay to the action, typically ongoing.

after a time lag

Focuses on the presence of a time gap between cause and effect.

behind schedule

Highlights the fact that it lags compared to an ideal timeline.

belatedly

Emphasizes that something is happening later than it should.

following a postponement

Specifically refers to an event that was previously planned for an earlier date.

subsequently

Indicates that something follows after an initial event or period.

with some lateness

Focuses on the quality of being late rather than a specific duration.

at a later time

A general way of indicating something happens in the future relative to a reference point.

after an interval

Indicates the presence of a period of time that must elapse before the event happens.

in due course

Suggests something will happen eventually, at the appropriate time.

FAQs

How can I use "with a delay" in a sentence?

You can use "with a delay" to describe when something happens later than expected. For example, "The project was completed "with a delay" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "with a delay"?

Alternatives include "after a time lag", "belatedly", or "subsequently", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with a delay" or "delayed"?

Both are correct, but they function differently in a sentence. "Delayed" is an adjective (e.g., "The delayed flight") while "with a delay" is a prepositional phrase (e.g., "The flight arrived "with a delay"").

What's the difference between "with a delay" and "after a delay"?

"With a delay" emphasizes the presence of the delay as a characteristic of the event, while "after a delay" focuses on the delay as a preceding event. For example, "The show started "with a delay"," versus "The show started after "a delay" caused by technical issues."