[Vocabulary] delay

[paysage57]

Dear teachers,

I would like to know if it is possible to use "delay":

1) to express a period of time (within which one has something to do)

For example: " I give you a delay of 5 days to send me the document" !

2) or if it can only be used within the meaning of "lateness"

For example: " there is a delay in the delivery of the document".


If only solution 2) is possible, is there another expression for "period of time" in the sentence sub. 1) (it sounds a little awkward to my ears)?

Thank you in advance!

Guillaume

 

[bhaisahab]

Dear teachers,

I would like to know if it is possible to use "delay":

1) to express a period of time (within which one has something to do)

For example: " I give you a delay of 5 days to send me the document" !

2) or if it can only be used within the meaning of "lateness"

For example: " there is a delay in the delivery of the document".


If only solution 2) is possible, is there another expression for "period of time" in the sentence sub. 1) (it sounds a little awkward to my ears)?

Thank you in advance!

Guillaume

I would say, "You have to send (me) the document within five days" or "You have five days in which to send (me) the document".

 

[5jj]

I'd use 'extension' rather than 'delay'.

 

[charliedeut]

Hi,

I've most usually been told about a "deadline" to hand in papers/documents: "The deadline for this paper is next Monday".

Greetings,

charliedeut

 

[5jj]

I've most usually been [STRIKE]talked[/STRIKE] told about a "deadline" to hand in papers/documents: "The deadline for this paper is next Monday".

Yes, but this is an extended deadline.

 

[charliedeut]

Yes, but this is an extended deadline.

You are getting better with the passage of years: now you even manage to correct a typo with another one :rofl:! Duly edited :up:

 

[Rover_KE]

You'll also hear in the context of extending a deadline

'Your project should have been handed in today, but I'll give you five days' grace.'

Rover

 

[SoothingDave]

I have heard of a "grace period," but not just simply "grace" in this context.

 

[5jj]

I have heard of a "grace period," but not just simply "grace" in this context.

It's fine in BrE.

 

[abaka]

Not just British English.

"A grace period of five days" = "five days grace" or "five days' grace". In practice you see it both with and without the apostrophe.

 

[paysage57]

Thanks to all of you this is very interesting.

Is it the same when you are not extending a deadline, but only grant a fixed period for someone to do something (for the first time)?

I would like to insert such a clause in an agreement "the pledgor shall proceed with the necessary recordings in the account books within a [...] of 5 days".

It is not a grace period nor an extended deadline. I think I can use bhaisahab's idea above and just say "within 5 days" as it seems english natives do not use a specific word as in French.

 

[bhaisahab]

Thanks to all of you this is very interesting.

Is it the same when you are not extending a deadline, but only grant a fixed period for someone to do something (for the first time)?

I would like to insert such a clause in an agreement "the pledgor shall proceed with the necessary recordings in the account books within a [...] of 5 days".

It is not a grace period nor an extended deadline. I think I can use bhaisahab's idea above and just say "within 5 days" as it seems English natives do not use a specific word as in French.

As you didn't mention extending a deadline in your original post, I recommend that you use "within five days", as I suggested in post #2.;-)

 

[SoothingDave]

Thanks to all of you this is very interesting.

Is it the same when you are not extending a deadline, but only grant a fixed period for someone to do something (for the first time)?

I would like to insert such a clause in an agreement "the pledgor shall proceed with the necessary recordings in the account books within a [...] of 5 days".

It is not a grace period nor an extended deadline. I think I can use bhaisahab's idea above and just say "within 5 days" as it seems english natives do not use a specific word as in French.

Within a period of 5 days.