I put off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I put off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has delayed or postponed an action or task. Example: "I put off studying for the exam until the last minute, and now I'm feeling stressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Could I put off eating for 15 minutes?

Columbia University

Nonetheless, I put off testing for 10 years.

The New York Times

"Am I put off by the commercial aspect of it?

The New York Times

"These were things I put off when the economy was worse," she said.

The New York Times

My hoses looked fine, but I put off the cleaning until I was ready to cook.

The New York Times

The excitement having somewhat subsided, I put off a volcano in the garden.

Independent

I put off applying for a year to give myself plenty of time.

Independent

Over the next six months, my husband and I put off calling the agency.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There are certain things you said that I put off the record.

The Washington Post

I became afraid to exercise, and I put off travel because it might interfere with our attempts to conceive.

The New York Times

"That's why I put off paying as long as I can".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I put off" to clearly communicate that an action was intentionally delayed, especially when the reason for the delay is relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "I put off" when the task was not just delayed, but actively avoided due to fear or dislike. In such cases, consider using "I avoided" or "I shied away from" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I put off" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of delaying or postponing something. It is commonly used to describe a decision to do something at a later time, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I put off" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the act of delaying or postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across various sources, particularly in News & Media. While synonyms like "I postponed" or "I delayed" exist, "I put off" maintains a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context accurately reflects a deliberate delay rather than simple avoidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I postponed

Direct synonym, emphasizing the act of delaying something to a later time.

I delayed

Similar to postponed, but can also imply causing something to be slower or later than expected.

I deferred

Suggests a more formal or official postponement, often to a specific later date.

I held off on

Implies a deliberate decision to wait before taking action.

I waited to do

Focuses on the act of waiting before performing an action.

I procrastinated on

Highlights the tendency to delay tasks, often due to avoidance or laziness.

I put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension of an activity or decision.

I suspended

Indicates a temporary interruption or cessation of something.

I reserved

Suggests setting something aside for later consideration or action.

I shelved

Implies putting something aside, often with the intention of not revisiting it in the near future.

FAQs

What does "I put off" mean?

The phrase "I put off" means to postpone or delay doing something. It suggests that you have decided to do something at a later time rather than immediately.

What can I say instead of "I put off"?

You can use alternatives like "I postponed", "I delayed", or "I deferred" depending on the context.

How do I use "I put off" in a sentence?

Use "I put off" when you want to express that you delayed doing something. For example, "I put off cleaning my room until the weekend."

Is "I put off" formal or informal?

"I put off" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and situation.