without unnecessary delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without unnecessary delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a specific action that someone needs to take. For example, "Please submit the needed paperwork to the office without unnecessary delay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

that the person was not brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay". Nev.Rev.Stat.

Cornell University

Patients can walk in right off the street and get treated without unnecessary delay.

The New York Times - Health

Judge said this time it should not to be "adversarial", and should be held without unnecessary delay.

The Guardian - Sport

The government also agreed to release immigrant children "without unnecessary delay" under an established preference ranking for custody.

The New York Times

On September 9th, N.R.C. staff people suggested ordering power plants to review their ability to survive quakes and floods "without unnecessary delay".

The New Yorker

The judge in that case, Dolly Gee, ordered the government to release children "without unnecessary delay," and Homeland Security has so far been unsuccessful in appealing.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Educational agencies that maintain student records must comply with requests for reviews without unnecessary delays.

Britannica

"We want to ensure inquests can happen without unnecessary delays so families can find closure.

BBC

Tracking systems are, therefore, needed to ensure that early detection results in early intervention without unnecessary delays.

BMC Health Services Research

These data suggest that well-trained prehospital personnel can provide high-level care without unnecessary delays to definitive care.

Critical Care

Flow managers were also able to assist residents in a timely manner and thereby enhanced the ability to get things right from the beginning without unnecessary delays and waste of resources.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without unnecessary delay" in legal or formal contexts when you need to emphasize the importance of acting promptly, but without implying recklessness. For example, "The documents must be filed without unnecessary delay to comply with the court order."

Common error

While "without unnecessary delay" is perfectly correct, it can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "quickly" or "as soon as possible" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without unnecessary delay" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb by specifying the manner or timing of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and is frequently used in formal contexts to emphasize promptness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "without unnecessary delay" is a grammatically sound and relatively common adverbial phrase used to stress the importance of timely action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. While suitable for formal and professional contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred in casual conversation. It appears frequently in "News & Media", academic, and scientific sources and should be used when promptness is required, but recklessness is to be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expeditiously

Single word replacement. Conveys efficiency and speed in execution.

with all due haste

Emphasizes speed and urgency, an older idiom for quick action.

promptly

Single word replacement. Uses an adverb to emphasize immediate action.

in a timely manner

Focuses on appropriateness of timing, replacing specifics about the delay.

without undue hesitation

Replaces 'delay' with 'hesitation', focusing on decisiveness.

at the earliest opportunity

Highlights availability and seizing the first chance.

as soon as feasible

Shifts focus to practicality and possibility of timely action.

forthwith

A formal, single word replacement indicating immediately action.

directly

Single word adverb, focus on avoidance of intermediaries and direct action.

without lingering

Highlights the avoidance of staying longer than necessary, indicating a swift transition.

FAQs

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

Use "without unnecessary delay" to emphasize the importance of prompt action, as in, "The application should be processed "as soon as possible", or at least without unnecessary delay."

What phrases are similar to "without unnecessary delay"?

Alternatives to "without unnecessary delay" include "promptly", "expeditiously", or "in a timely manner".

Is it more appropriate to use "without unnecessary delay" or "immediately"?

"Immediately" implies instantaneous action, while "without unnecessary delay" suggests acting as quickly as reasonably possible. The better choice depends on the specific situation.

What does it mean to do something "without undue delay"?

To do something "without undue delay" means performing the action "as soon as feasible", avoiding any delays that are not justifiable or reasonable. This is very similar to acting "without unnecessary delay".