without further delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"without further delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something should happen quickly or immediately, without waiting any longer. For example: "Let's begin the presentation without further delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Senate should confirm her without further delay.

The New York Times

The full House should vote without further delay.

The New York Times

Without further delay, Farnese launched the siege of Antwerp.

Britannica

Congress should pass the extension without further delay.

The New York Times

The Senate should pass this legislation without further delay.

The New York Times

Pilot projects should be put on the road without further delay.

Cornell University

Parliament must be given the chance to vote on standard packs without further delay".

The Guardian - Business

Congress must pay its bills and pass a clean debt limit increase without further delay.

The Guardian

Labor Secretary Elaine Chao should get regulations in place without further delay.

The New York Times

Full diplomatic relations with Iran should be restored without further delay.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We must, without further delay, agree the rules to enable us to share passenger name records.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "forthwith" or "expeditiously" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

While "without further delay" is grammatically sound, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "now" or "let's start" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without further delay" acts as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the timing of an action. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid English phrase. It emphasizes the immediacy with which something should be done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without further delay" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to emphasize the need for immediate action. Ludwig AI validates this, and the numerous examples show its widespread use across diverse contexts such as news, academia, and formal business. It's best suited for neutral to formal situations where you want to convey a sense of urgency. While acceptable in most contexts, using synonyms may be more appropriate in extremely informal settings. Remember, while "without delay" and "without further delay" are similar, the latter implies that some delay may have already happened and must cease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

This is a one-word synonym emphasizing the absence of any delay.

at once

Conveys a sense of immediacy and directness.

promptly

Suggests action taken quickly and efficiently.

forthwith

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for immediately.

without hesitation

Focuses on the decisiveness and lack of wavering before acting.

right away

An informal phrase indicating immediate action.

directly

Implies a straight-to-the-point and immediate approach.

instantly

Highlights the near-simultaneous nature of the action.

expeditiously

Suggests speed and efficiency in carrying out an action.

in short order

An idiomatic expression meaning quickly and efficiently.

FAQs

How can I use "without further delay" in a sentence?

You can use "without further delay" to indicate that an action should commence immediately. For example, "Let's begin the meeting "without further delay"".

What are some alternatives to "without further delay"?

Some alternatives include "immediately", "at once", or "promptly", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is it ever incorrect to use "without further delay"?

While grammatically correct, overuse in very informal contexts might sound unnatural. Consider using simpler phrases like "right now" or "let's go" in casual settings.

What is the difference between "without delay" and "without further delay"?

"Without delay" means immediately, while "without further delay" suggests that some initial delay may have already occurred, and no more should be tolerated. They are often interchangeable, but the latter adds a sense of impatience.