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Uktous Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary

Sorry for the late/delayed/prolonged reply

Hi,

Background:
My friend sent me a letter.
She expected that I would reply to her letter (ie, by sending another letter) last week.
However, I sent her my letter this week.

Question:
Should I use "late, delayed, or prolonged"?

Sentence:
Sorry for the late/delayed/prolonged reply.

Thanks
  

Top answer

In my opinion, "late" is the common and natural choice. "Delayed" implies that you're about to make excuses concerning the cause of the delay. "Prolonged" would be assumed to describe the reply itself, suggesting that it was unduly drawn out, but not necessarily late.

— Avangi

  • In my opinion, "late" is the common and natural choice.
  • "Delayed" implies that you're about to make excuses concerning the cause of the delay.
  • "Prolonged" would be assumed to describe the reply itself, suggesting that it was unduly drawn out, but not necessarily late.
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1 Answers
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In my opinion, "late" is the common and natural choice.
"Delayed" implies that you're about to make excuses concerning the cause of the delay.
"Prolonged" would be assumed to describe the reply itself, suggesting that it was unduly drawn out, but not necessarily late.
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