What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tarrying
Example
He was tarrying in the park, enjoying the sunshine. [tarrying: verb]
Example
The flight was delayed due to passengers tarrying at the gate. [tarrying: gerund or present participle]
delay
Example
The train was delayed by an hour due to technical issues. [delay: noun]
Example
She delayed making a decision until she had more information. [delay: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Delay is more commonly used than tarrying in everyday language. Delay is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while tarrying is less common and more formal, often used in literature or formal writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tarrying and delay?
Tarrying is typically associated with a formal tone, while delay is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
