without undue delay

USAGE SUMMARY

"without undue delay" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something should be done as soon as possible. For example: "Please submit your application without undue delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It must also "acknowledge the receipt of the recipient's order without undue delay and by electronic means.

Columbia University

It also said that patients were entitled to seek treatment abroad, unless it could be provided domestically without "undue delay".

The Economist

The rules require phone companies and Internet service providers to inform customers of any data breach "without undue delay".

The New York Times - Tech

Rule 6-7 of the Rules of Golf addresses pace of play, saying a player "must play without undue delay".

The New York Times

The memorandum of understanding signed by Jordan in August 2005 promised a "fair and public hearing without undue delay by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal".

The Guardian

A detailed memorandum of understanding, which the three parties agreed, makes plain that agreement over junior doctors' new terms and conditions must be reached "without undue delay".

The Guardian

My appointment had been put on indefinite hold by the Senate Armed Services Committee, and I felt the Defense Department needed to fill the position without undue delay.

The Washington Post

The governments of emerging economies in the eastern countries especially need to adopt, without undue delay, the advanced technologies for providing better web services to their citizens.

Government Information Quarterly

However, Stanford affords great flexibility in planning and scheduling individual programs, which makes it possible for transfer students, who have wide variations in preparation, to plan full programs for each quarter and to progress toward graduation without undue delay.

Stanford University

Seward was exasperated by Johnson, but he agreed, Stahr writes, "that the southern states should be allowed to govern themselves, and to rejoin the national government, without undue delay or onerous conditions".

The New Yorker

If you have a voucher subscription, you must without undue delay, and in any event no later than 14 days from the date you communicate your cancellation to us, return all vouchers received by you to the applicable address in section 11 below.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "without undue delay", consider the specific context to ensure the implied timeframe is clear. If the situation requires more precision, specify a concrete deadline instead.

Common error

Avoid assuming "undue" simply means 'any' delay. "Undue delay" implies a delay that is excessive or unjustified in the specific circumstances. Ensure the delay truly warrants the modifier 'undue'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without undue delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the timing of an action. Ludwig AI highlights its use in various contexts, indicating an action should be carried out promptly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Formal & Business

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without undue delay" is a versatile adverbial phrase indicating that an action should be performed promptly, without unnecessary procrastination, while acknowledging that some delay might be unavoidable. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a variety of formal contexts, from business and legal documents to news reports and scientific articles. When using this phrase, consider whether the situation warrants more specific timeframe. While sources show that this phrase is very common, it is important to note the subtle difference in alternatives such as "immediately", "promptly" or "within a reasonable time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without unreasonable delay

Emphasizes the absence of delay that exceeds what is considered fair or appropriate in a given context.

without excessive delay

Highlights the need to avoid delays that go beyond a normal or acceptable level.

without inordinate delay

Focuses on avoiding delays that are disproportionately large or excessive compared to what is expected.

without unnecessary delay

Stresses the importance of preventing delays that serve no useful purpose or are not required.

at the earliest

Indicates that something should be done as soon as it is possible or feasible.

within a reasonable period

Suggests completing a task in a timeframe that is fair and appropriate to the circumstances.

at the earliest opportunity

Emphasizes taking action as soon as a favorable or suitable moment arises.

without much delay

Implies that there will be little to no delay in taking action or completing a task.

without deadlines

Focuses on doing tasks without set deadlines.

at the earliest possible time

Highlights the urgency and importance of doing something as quickly as circumstances allow.

FAQs

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

Use "without undue delay" to indicate that something should be done promptly, but acknowledge there might be some necessary waiting time. For example, "Please submit your application "without undue delay"."

What are some alternatives to "without undue delay"?

You can use alternatives like "immediately", "promptly", "as soon as possible", or "expeditiously", depending on the desired level of formality and urgency.

Is it better to say "without undue delay" or "immediately"?

"Immediately" implies instantaneous action. "Without undue delay" suggests action should be taken quickly, but allows for reasonable time to complete the task. Choose the phrase that best reflects the required timeframe.

What is the difference between "without undue delay" and "within a reasonable time"?

"Without undue delay" emphasizes speed, while "within a reasonable time" emphasizes fairness and appropriateness. The best choice depends on whether speed or fairness is the priority.