what was causing the delay vs what was causing the delays

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'What was causing the delay' is used when referring to a specific delay, while 'What was causing the delays' is used when talking about multiple delays. The choice between singular 'delay' and plural 'delays' depends on the number of delays being discussed.

Last updated: March 26, 2024 • 1595 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to a specific delay.

"what was causing the delay"

This phrase is used when asking about the reason behind a single delay. It is grammatically correct and clear in its meaning.

Examples:

What was causing the delay in the delivery of the package?

Show examples from the web [+]

[Commentator] Very frustrating to be sitting up here... wondering what's causing the delay.
It has become known that some of the problems causing the delays were technological.
Delays to slaughter caused by late and incomplete forwarding of information and/or additional measures shall be communicated to the primary producer and any costs incurred shall be borne by the party causing the delays.
The bulk of the complaints are directed at the Commission, of course, because they are most closely involved with the citizens, although it is in actual fact mainly the Council of Ministers that is causing the delays.
A shortage of funding is consequently causing delays in the necessary maintenance of networks.
Accordingly, the principle that rules governing exemptions are to be interpreted narrowly means that a direct causal link must be established between the circumstances allegedly causing the delay and the delay in the construction of the vessel.
whether any sanctions are envisaged for those causing the delays and what form the sanctions would take?
Could the Commissioner indicate what is causing the delay and when the report is expected to be published?
Distribution of Madame Gao's product has been affected, which in turn is causing delays in other ventures.
Furthermore the parallel implementation of two programming periods (20000-2006 and 2007-2013) is also considered a significant burden causing delays at the beginning of the current period.
The ECJ has insufficient means to increase its resources of personnel working in its translation service, and this is causing delays to court proceedings.
In WE 21-CONF it is confirmed that documents relating to the Annual General Meeting as well as reports and accounts are now issued in English "as the translations of documents was causing some delay".
However, prescribing a common methodology for the energy performance calculation itself could be counter-productive, causing delays in the implementation of the Directive by several years due to the complexity of Member States' building codes.
European satellite navigation systems have been causing delays and additional costs, which should lead those responsible to give thought to the patterns currently being followed for their implementation.
She arrived drunk to our sets, causing massive delays.
Failure to identify with regional objectives always generates controversy and holds up action, causing numerous delays.
They shall ensure that these facilities are used efficiently without causing undue delay to ships.
This Constitutional controversy is causing further delays for the possible referendum on President Chávez.
Traffic through the Eastbay tube came to a halt this Saturday evening after an SFTA train experienced mechanical problems, causing major delays.
Parliament needs to make the relevant preparations to be able to fulfil these responsibilities as quickly as possible, without causing any delay in the legislative process.

Alternatives:

What was the cause of the delay?

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to multiple delays.

"what was causing the delays"

This phrase is used when asking about the reasons behind multiple delays. It is grammatically correct and appropriate for situations involving more than one delay.

Examples:

What was causing the delays in the project timeline?

Show examples from the web [+]

[Commentator] Very frustrating to be sitting up here... wondering what's causing the delay.
It has become known that some of the problems causing the delays were technological.
Delays to slaughter caused by late and incomplete forwarding of information and/or additional measures shall be communicated to the primary producer and any costs incurred shall be borne by the party causing the delays.
The bulk of the complaints are directed at the Commission, of course, because they are most closely involved with the citizens, although it is in actual fact mainly the Council of Ministers that is causing the delays.
A shortage of funding is consequently causing delays in the necessary maintenance of networks.
Accordingly, the principle that rules governing exemptions are to be interpreted narrowly means that a direct causal link must be established between the circumstances allegedly causing the delay and the delay in the construction of the vessel.
whether any sanctions are envisaged for those causing the delays and what form the sanctions would take?
Could the Commissioner indicate what is causing the delay and when the report is expected to be published?
Distribution of Madame Gao's product has been affected, which in turn is causing delays in other ventures.
Furthermore the parallel implementation of two programming periods (20000-2006 and 2007-2013) is also considered a significant burden causing delays at the beginning of the current period.
The ECJ has insufficient means to increase its resources of personnel working in its translation service, and this is causing delays to court proceedings.
In WE 21-CONF it is confirmed that documents relating to the Annual General Meeting as well as reports and accounts are now issued in English "as the translations of documents was causing some delay".
However, prescribing a common methodology for the energy performance calculation itself could be counter-productive, causing delays in the implementation of the Directive by several years due to the complexity of Member States' building codes.
European satellite navigation systems have been causing delays and additional costs, which should lead those responsible to give thought to the patterns currently being followed for their implementation.
She arrived drunk to our sets, causing massive delays.
Failure to identify with regional objectives always generates controversy and holds up action, causing numerous delays.
They shall ensure that these facilities are used efficiently without causing undue delay to ships.
This Constitutional controversy is causing further delays for the possible referendum on President Chávez.
Traffic through the Eastbay tube came to a halt this Saturday evening after an SFTA train experienced mechanical problems, causing major delays.
Parliament needs to make the relevant preparations to be able to fulfil these responsibilities as quickly as possible, without causing any delay in the legislative process.

Alternatives:

What were the causes of the delays?

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what was causing the delay vs what was causing the delays

"what was causing the delay"

"what was causing the delays"

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