allow for delays

Meaning

This phrase means to plan or prepare for possible late arrivals, interruptions, or setbacks by budgeting extra time or resources. It is typically used when scheduling trips, projects, or daily commutes to ensure things run smoothly despite unexpected issues.

Examples

• When traveling during rush hour, you should always allow for delays.

  When traveling during rush hour, you should always allow for delays.

• The project timeline is tight, so make sure to allow for delays in shipping.

  The project timeline is tight, so make sure to allow for delays in shipping.

• We left an hour early to allow for delays on the highway.

  We left an hour early to allow for delays on the highway.

• It's smart to allow for delays when booking connecting flights.

  It's smart to allow for delays when booking connecting flights.

• Our construction plan didn't allow for delays, which was a huge mistake.

  Our construction plan didn't allow for delays, which was a huge mistake.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We must allow delays when planning the trip.

  ✓ We must allow for delays when planning the trip.

  Without 'for', 'allow delays' means you are permitting or letting delays happen on purpose, rather than preparing for them.

• ✗ Please allow to delays because of the bad weather.

  ✓ Please allow for delays because of the bad weather.

  Do not use 'to' after 'allow' in this context; 'allow for' is the correct phrasal verb meaning to take into consideration.

Related Expressions

Practice

• There is heavy construction on the main road, so you should ___.

  💡 Plan for extra travel time because of traffic.

  Show answer

  allow for delays

• When setting a deadline for the client, always remember to ___.

  💡 Budget extra time for unexpected setbacks.

  Show answer

  allow for delays