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postpone vs delay

Both 'postpone' and 'delay' are correct and commonly used in English. They can be used interchangeably to mean to cause something to happen at a later time than originally planned. There is no significant difference in meaning between the two terms.

Last updated: March 27, 2024 • 997 views

postpone

The word 'postpone' is correct and commonly used in English to mean to cause something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

You can use 'postpone' when you want to refer to the act of delaying an event, appointment, or action to a later time.

Examples:

  • The meeting has been postponed until next week.
  • They decided to postpone the trip due to bad weather.
  • And it is preferable to postpone the wedding.
  • All the more reason to postpone the announcement.
  • Never postpone the needed brake system service.
  • All I've been able to do is postpone the inevitable.
  • He said that you wanted to postpone the signing of the treaty.
  • But I suggest we postpone this discussion to a more suitable time.
  • This is a stunt to postpone the election.
  • But I don't want to postpone the wedding.
  • With what happened to manny, Maybe we better postpone our special day Until next weekend.
  • Then we'll postpone until you get back.
  • No, dottore, you must postpone it.
  • We'll postpone the tour of the house.
  • It's useless, we must postpone to another year.
  • All I did was postpone a three-day trip.
  • We will also postpone the publication of the magazine.
  • So let us postpone this for a while.
  • We should postpone this interview until his lawyer arrives.
  • We could always postpone till after graduation.
  • Maybe I can postpone negotiations until the police solve the case.
  • I totally understand if you need to postpone the weekend.

Alternatives:

  • defer
  • put off
  • reschedule
  • hold off
  • push back

delay

The word 'delay' is correct and commonly used in English to mean to cause something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

You can use 'delay' when you want to refer to the act of holding back or causing something to occur later than expected.

Examples:

  • The flight was delayed due to technical issues.
  • Please don't delay in sending me the report.
  • Please accept our sincere apology for the delay.
  • Three-hour delay and a completely full flight.
  • The fates conspired towards unfortunate delay.
  • There is a 30-second streaming delay.
  • The slightest delay can shift political balances.
  • Orbán repeatedly criticized the EU for its delay.
  • Time delay for reverse running: 0.2s...
  • Low birth weight and generalized growth delay are sometimes observed.
  • Instant screenshots feature (no 1-frame delay).
  • Sensitivity and delay time can be adjustable.
  • Rules are in delay regarding requirements.
  • Minimum delay for web traffic & telnet.
  • Sometime up to 60 seconds delay between each directory.
  • There was no delay of materials.
  • An emphasis on speed and simplification should prevent administrative delay.
  • Patients facing undue delay should not require prior authorisation.
  • Such a delay unduly impacts smaller organisations and businesses.
  • This delay is seriously harming Community shipowners.
  • That can mean delay or even obstruction.
  • The report was submitted because of the excessive delay.

Alternatives:

  • postpone
  • defer
  • put off
  • hold off
  • push back

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