delay in + activity/process
Problems within a process
Use in before the process, event, or activity affected.
A technical fault caused a delay in production.
Delay in or delay by?
Delay in refers to a problem or slowness within a process. Delay by refers to the amount of time something is postponed or slowed.
Quick answer
When do we use delay in and delay by?
Use delay in for a delay within an activity or process: a delay in delivery. Use delay by to state the amount of time: The train was delayed by two hours.
There was a delay in processing the applications.
The flight was delayed by three hours.
Unexpected snow caused a delay in traffic.
The flight was delayed by three hours.
Unexpected snow caused a delay in traffic.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
delayed by + amount of time
Showing the duration of delay
Use by with a period of time.
The release was delayed by six weeks.
delay + object
Postponing something directly
Delay can also take a direct object with no preposition.
They decided to delay the announcement.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
delay in + process
There was a delay in shipping.
Refers to disruption within an activity.
delayed by + time
The train was delayed by thirty minutes.
States how long the delay lasted.
delay to + noun
There was a delay to the project.
Possible in some contexts, but delay in is more common for processes.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using by for activities instead of time
Use in before activities or processes.
✕ There was a delay by processing the forms. ✓ There was a delay in processing the forms.Using in before a time amount
Use by with hours, days, or weeks.
✕ The train was delayed in two hours. ✓ The train was delayed by two hours.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. There was a delay ___ delivery.
2. The match was delayed ___ forty minutes.
3. They decided to delay ___ launch.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between delay in and delay by?
Delay in refers to a process or activity, while delay by refers to the amount of time.
Can delay be transitive?
Yes. You can delay a meeting, launch, or decision.
Is delay to correct?
It can appear in some contexts, but delay in is more typical for activities and processes.
Related preposition guides
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