the train was delayed vs the train was delaying

The correct phrase is "the train was delayed." The phrase "the train was delaying" is incorrect in this context. The verb "delayed" is the correct past tense form of the verb "delay" when describing an action that happened in the past.

Last updated: March 31, 2024

the train was delayed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe a situation where the train did not arrive or depart at the expected time.

Examples:

The train was delayed due to signal failure.
I missed my appointment because the train was delayed.
Passengers were frustrated when the train was delayed for over an hour.
The train was delayed by heavy snowfall.
The train was delayed, causing many commuters to be late for work.

Show examples from the web [+]

It happened that the train was delayed on account of snow.
The train was delayed by a heavy snowfall.
Mr President, I am sorry that, because my train was delayed, I have only just arrived and have not therefore been able to hear the previous debate.
The trains been delayed, madam.
I was supposed to be heading out of town to meet a client, but the train got delayed.
I was supposed to be heading out of town to meet a client, but the train got delayed.
It was not until more than an hour later, shortly before the train's delayed departure from Nicolina, that another person in camouflage uniform came along who, without a word, very quickly handed me back my passport and immediately disappeared.
train paths, in particular on the train paths allocated to delayed trains,
Until that moment, the possibility that the trains could be delayed had not even crossed my mind.
It is impossible to exchange a ticket or a reservation between trains (if a train is delayed or the passenger misses the train).
Trains are delayed on the Tôhoku and Takasaki lines.
If a train is delayed, 25% of the fare is repaid in compensation after an hour.
Due to the following train being delayed, this train will be temporarily stopping here for 10 minutes.
If this train is delayed, we shall miss our connection at Kobe.
In the event that a train is delayed, free meals and refreshments must be offered to passengers in a reasonable relation to the waiting time.
Rail passengers can look forward to compensation if their trains are delayed, following a vote by the European Parliament's Transport Committee on 19 April.
There will be better compensation when trains are delayed and competitiveness will be improved through opening up the sector to competition.
Perhaps just one further remark; the wording adopted in the Stercx report comes across as an attempt to impose penalties in the event of trains being delayed.
Trains were delayed for an hour while the army bomb squad diffused the explosives.
Trains will be delayed due to heavy snowfall.

the train was delaying

This phrase is incorrect in this context.

Show examples from the web [+]

27 miles from where the train was stopped.
Before I knew it, the train was gone...
Remind me again why the train was a bad idea.
When the train was coming in at the subway station...
The train was travelling at approximately 25 metres per second.
The train was late and I missed the bus.
He once threw out the stoker while the train was in motion.
It happened that the train was delayed on account of snow.
The train was ten minutes behind time.
The train was delayed by a heavy snowfall.
The train was three miles away when it blew up.
The train was crowded with people.
The train was starting to leave...
Sorry, the train was late.
You're lucky the train wasn't coming.
Getting off the train was your idea.
The train was too long after I changed my shoes.
The train was late, thank heaven.
And they can prove the train was moving too fast.
The train was late and the driver was talking.

Alternatives:

the train was running late
the train was behind schedule
the train was held up
the train was stuck in traffic
the train was experiencing delays

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the train was delayed vs the train was delaying