with a slight delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"with a slight delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action taking place later than usual, or at a slower rate than anticipated. For example: "The train arrived at the station with a slight delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In some areas the cuts will be brought in straightaway; in others with a slight delay.

The Guardian - Opinion

With a slight delay, the stream of Pegida marchers squeezes past.

The Guardian

It's interesting how young artists introduce darkness into their art, indirectly, with a slight delay.

The New York Times - Arts

It also charts forest fires that are burning, with a slight delay.

The Economist

Angiogenesis in the tumor vasculature was suppressed without impairment of fertility, neuromuscular performance or hematopoiesis, albeit with a slight delay in wound healing.

Nature

It turns out that one of the speakers was faithfully reproducing, with a slight delay, the iPhone's keyboard sounds as I tapped out a text message.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

As with disablement, a slight delay with the declaration would be tolerable, but worries persist.

Forbes

While many Kickstarter hardware projects can be subject to lengthy delays and even derail entirely, Kano comes with far fewer crowdfunding caveats, given it has its own China-based supply chain established and has successfully delivered a prior crowdfunder (with the original Kano kits shipping with only a slight delay).

TechCrunch

While many Kickstarter hardware projects can be subject to lengthy delays and even derail entirely, Kano comes with far fewer crowdfunding caveats, given it has its own China-based supply chain established and has successfully delivered a prior crowdfunder (with the original Kano kits shipping with only a slight delay).

TechCrunch

The race is run in delayed time later Sunday on Fox, so this is a chance to see it live — or with only a slight delay.

The New York Times

By accessing the site from your Android browser, you're able to listen in to Beats 1 with only a slight delay from the live stream heard on Apple devices.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "with a slight delay" to indicate a minor postponement without assigning blame or negativity. It's suitable for neutral reporting or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "with a slight delay" repeatedly in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language, specifying the exact time difference or reason for the delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a slight delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to specify the timing of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that something occurs a bit later than expected. This is supported by the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "with a slight delay" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating a minor postponement or lateness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. It enjoys common usage, particularly in news reporting, scientific writing, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more precise language may be preferred. Related phrases, such as "after a short interval" or "somewhat belatedly", can offer alternative ways to express similar concepts with subtle variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with a brief lag

Substitutes "slight delay" with "brief lag", changing the noun but keeping the meaning of a short period of time between events.

with a minor postponement

Replaces "slight delay" with "minor postponement", focusing on the act of postponing rather than the delay itself. It is semantically similar, emphasizing a short-term deferral.

after a short interval

Replaces "with a slight delay" with "after a short interval", shifting from a prepositional phrase to a clause indicating sequence and time. Emphasizes the time passed before something occurs.

following a small wait

Changes "slight delay" to "small wait", focusing on the experience of waiting. It's conceptually similar, suggesting a short period of waiting before an event.

slightly behind schedule

Replaces "with a slight delay" with "slightly behind schedule", directly referring to the planned timeframe.

subsequently, but not immediately

Replaces the entire phrase with an adverbial phrase conveying sequence and timing. More descriptive, specifying that something happens after, but not right away.

a little later than scheduled

Replaces "with a slight delay" with "a little later than scheduled", specifying that something happened after the initial timing. Highlights the deviation from a plan.

with a touch of tardiness

Substitutes "slight delay" with "touch of tardiness", adding a slightly more negative connotation, implying lateness.

eventually, though not instantly

Replaces the phrase with adverbs emphasizing the eventual occurrence and lack of immediacy. More descriptive than the original phrase.

somewhat belatedly

Substitutes the entire phrase with a single adverb, indicating something happened later than expected. More concise and formal.

FAQs

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

You can use "with a slight delay" to indicate that something happens or starts a little later than expected. For example, "The broadcast will be aired "with a slight delay" due to technical issues."

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

"With a slight delay" emphasizes the postponement itself, while "after a short interval" focuses on the time that passes before something happens. They are similar, but "after a short interval" specifies a sequence of events. If you want to emphasize the temporal sequence, prefer "after a short interval".

Are there more formal alternatives to "with a slight delay"?

Yes, more formal options include "somewhat belatedly" or phrases specifying the time discrepancy, such as "ten minutes behind schedule". Choose "somewhat belatedly" if you want to sound more formal.

What can I say instead of "with a slight delay" when describing a process?

When describing processes, you could use phrases like "with a brief lag", "following a small wait", or "subsequently, but not immediately" to indicate a minor temporal gap. If you need to stress the little wait, try "following a small wait".