"instant replay caused too long a delay" "he ordered a hold in the action"
"Traffic was delayed by the bad weather" "she delayed the work that she didn't want to perform"
"Don't delay your application to graduate school or else it won't be considered"
"Please stay the bloodshed!"
"The brain damage will retard the child's language development"
误 He apologized to her for the delay to reply to a letter.
误 He apologized to her for the delay of replying to a letter.
正 He apologized to her for the delay in replying to a letter.
析delay可接“in+动名词”,但不可接动词不定式或“of+动名词”。