without much delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without much delay" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something happened quickly or without any significant delay. It is often used in formal or professional writing. Example: The project was completed without much delay, thanks to the efficient teamwork of the entire team.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

The payoff arrives in this band without much delay.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought that I would then be properly dealt with and returned home without much delay".

The Guardian

One is almost congratulated for arriving in the office without much delay.

The New Yorker

She can, without much delay, recite any passage from the Bible or Shakespeare.

The New Yorker

An aide said that the politically charged review was appropriate, in Mr. Boehlert's view, and might in the end produce just as strict a standard without much delay.

The New York Times

Prior to the quake, he is known to have wanted an orderly transfer without much delay, once the board made its decision.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Mr. Strauss-Kahn "will speak to the French at a moment he will decide, and will do it, I think, without too much delay," Mr. Moscovici said.

The New York Times

Balancing in-store and in-app ordering so that both sets of customers are served without too much delay is another potential challenge.

TechCrunch

Poking around seemed fluid enough save for the occasional hiccup (which honestly may be more hardware than Firefox OS), and apps fired up without too much delay.

TechCrunch

However, in practice, countries may encounter various types of problems when attempting, without too much delay, to accurately determine or update the population age and sex structure according to the de jure concept.

European Journal of Population

As internet trends change quickly, there is no point in investing thousands of dollars for something that cannot be added to easily or changed without too much delay.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without much delay" to emphasize efficiency and a lack of procrastination in formal and professional communication.

Common error

While grammatically correct, avoid using "without much delay" excessively in casual conversation, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more natural alternatives like "right away" or "immediately" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without much delay" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or verb phrase to indicate the timing of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct. The phrase suggests that an event occurs quickly or promptly after a preceding event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without much delay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that emphasizes the promptness of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, scientific writing and professional communication. While it is a good way to express that something happened quickly or that it is expected to happen fast, in an informal context there are more natural alternatives. When aiming for clarity and efficiency in your writing, "without much delay" serves as a reliable and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without undue delay

More formal and legalistic version of the original phrase.

immediately

Direct synonym emphasizing no time lapse.

promptly

Single-word adverb emphasizing immediate action.

expeditiously

More formal adverb suggesting efficient speed.

quickly

Simple adverb denoting speed.

without hesitation

Focuses on decisiveness and immediate action.

right away

Informal expression indicating immediacy.

speedily

Somewhat more formal synonym for quickly.

in short order

Idiomatic expression meaning quickly and efficiently.

forthwith

Archaic but emphatic term for immediately.

FAQs

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

You can use "without much delay" to indicate that something should be done or happened quickly. For instance, "The report was completed "without much delay" after receiving the necessary data".

What can I say instead of "without much delay"?

Alternatives include "immediately", "promptly", or "without hesitation", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "without delay" or "without much delay"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Without delay" implies absolute immediacy, while "without much delay" suggests something happens quickly but allows for a minimal amount of time to pass. Choose the phrase that best reflects the specific context.

What's the difference between "without undue delay" and "without much delay"?

"Without undue delay" is a more formal and often legalistic expression, suggesting that any delay should be minimized and justifiable. "Without much delay" is a more general expression indicating a quick action "without much delay".