Cool MateDelay vs I will buy you time
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delay
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
I will buy you time
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Delay
| Delay | I will buy you time | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈleɪ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aɪ wɪl baɪ jʊ taɪm//🇺🇸 //aɪ wɪl baɪ jʊ taɪm// |
| Meaning | To make something happen later than planned. | I will give you extra time to do something. |
| Example | Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. | I will buy you time to finish your project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of, considerable, enormous, lengthy, series, be subject to, be plagued by, encounter, occur, without delay, delay in, delay of | buy some time, buy time for, help buy time |
| Antonyms | advance, hasten, expedite | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'delay' with 'defer' — 'defer' is often more formal., Using 'delayed' incorrectly in tense — check verb forms for accuracy., Overusing 'delay' in casual speech when simpler options like 'wait' are available. | Confused with 'buy time' as a physical transaction., Using it in very formal contexts where it seems out of place. |
| Usage notes | Use 'delay' when referring to postponing events or actions. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler words like 'wait' might suffice. | Used informally to convey the idea of delaying or giving someone more time. Suitable in personal and casual contexts but less appropriate in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Delay vs I will buy you time
What's the difference between Delay and I will buy you time?
Delay: To make something happen later than planned. I will buy you time: I will give you extra time to do something.
Which is more common: Delay and I will buy you time?
Delay is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Delay: Due to the heavy traffic, there was a significant delay in our arrival time. I will buy you time: I will buy you time to finish your project.
Can I use Delay and I will buy you time interchangeably?
Not always. Delay and I will buy you time are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.