without unreasonable delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without unreasonable delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something should be done promptly, without unnecessary waiting. Example: "The company must respond to the complaint without unreasonable delay to ensure customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Your employer will then be obliged to convene a meeting without unreasonable delay to discuss your grievance.

The Guardian

Federal law requires that all networks have sufficient numbers and types of providers to ensure that services are accessible without unreasonable delay.

The New York Times

Mrs Justice Patterson ruled there had been a "breach of duty on the part of the secretary of state to act without unreasonable delay in determination of the claimant's claims for Pip".

The Guardian

In addition, the amendment Mr. Gore proposes would give victims the right to be heard at sentencing, the right to be included in any public proceedings related to the crime, the right to restitution from a convicted offender and the right to a trial without unreasonable delay.

The New York Times

Victims also cannot be excluded from any public proceeding; they must be heard at proceedings involving release, plea or sentencing; they have the right to confer with the prosecutor; the right to full and timely restitution; the right to proceedings without unreasonable delay; and the right to be treated with fairness and respect.

The New York Times

The chairman of the six-member appointed town planning board, Dennis Finnerty, and the board's vice chairman, the home builder James V. Zizzi, said they were required by law to process the West Hills subdivision application without unreasonable delay and could not take into account the town board's efforts to preserve it.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It is one of the most fundamental principles of a democracy that all accused should be tried without unreasonable delays and freed if innocent.

The New York Times

An unreasonable delay is also not acceptable.

The New York Times

Still, no unreasonable delay was apparent.

The New York Times

Procrastination by itself establishes unreasonable delay".

The Guardian

It said there had been no unreasonable delay because testing and research were required.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While appropriate for legal and formal writing, simpler alternatives might be preferable in less formal settings.

Common error

Avoid assuming a universal understanding of 'unreasonable'. Clarify what specific timeframes or circumstances would be considered unacceptable to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without unreasonable delay" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifying the manner in which an action should be performed. According to Ludwig, it indicates that something should be done promptly, but with consideration for what might constitute an unjustifiable or excessive waiting period.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Without unreasonable delay" is an adverbial phrase that means something should be done promptly, but with reasonable consideration for potential obstacles. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts, like legal and professional documents. While the phrase is relatively uncommon, it appears most frequently in news and media sources. For less formal situations, alternatives like "in a timely manner" or "promptly" may be more appropriate. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides clarity on what constitutes an 'unreasonable' delay to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without undue delay

Replaces "unreasonable" with "undue", keeping the meaning virtually identical but with a slightly more formal tone.

in a timely manner

Substitutes the entire phrase with a more common idiom expressing promptness.

expeditiously

Uses a single adverb to convey the meaning of acting quickly and efficiently.

promptly

A simple adverb indicating that something should be done quickly and without hesitation.

without delay

Omits "unreasonable", implying any delay is unacceptable.

as soon as possible

An idiomatic expression stressing immediacy, often abbreviated as ASAP.

with all deliberate speed

A legal term indicating efficient action, even if not immediate.

at the earliest opportunity

Focuses on acting when conditions first permit, rather than necessarily instantly.

in short order

An informal idiom suggesting the action will be completed very soon.

forthwith

An archaic adverb signifying immediate action.

FAQs

What does "without unreasonable delay" mean in legal terms?

In legal contexts, "without unreasonable delay" means action should be taken as quickly as possible, but allowing for circumstances that might cause some delay. What is considered "unreasonable" can depend on the specific situation and relevant laws.

What are some alternatives to "without unreasonable delay"?

You can use alternatives like "without undue delay", "in a timely manner", or "promptly" depending on the context.

Is "without unreasonable delay" formal or informal?

"Without unreasonable delay" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in legal and official documents. More informal alternatives exist for everyday conversation.

How to use "without unreasonable delay" in a sentence?

You can use "without unreasonable delay" to describe an action that should be done quickly but with consideration for possible obstacles. For example: "The investigation should be completed "without unreasonable delay"."