ask for postponement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for postponement" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when requesting a delay or rescheduling of an event, meeting, or deadline. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, I would like to ask for postponement of our meeting scheduled for tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

[B6.] Vioxx Lawsuits May Be Postponed The federal judge overseeing lawsuits against the Merck drug Vioxx has asked for postponements of the state cases.

The New York Times

Once they graduate, lawyers get plenty of practice with this too — for example, asking for postponements on court dates, and getting extensions of time to file briefs and various tax forms.

Forbes

− Madam President, for the same reasons as my colleagues and fellow rapporteurs have asked for a postponement, I too ask for a postponement on this report to give us the time that we really need to have a thorough discussion with the Council on whatever they come back to us with.

European Parliament

The news agency said Mr. Botha's lawyers would ask for a postponement when they appeared in court on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Anna Stavitskaya, another lawyer representing Politkovskaya's family, said she would ask for a postponement because Moskalenko was unable to attend.

The Guardian

I ask for a postponement for an additional candidate or candidates to stand in an open and fair process".

The Guardian - Sport

And last week it voted against leaving without any agreement in place — the "no-deal" or "cliff-edge" scenario — and told Mrs. May to ask for a postponement.

The New York Times

His feelings about the process began to emerge in what he posted to the blog after his second day: "A prospective juror can ask for one postponement with no questions asked," he wrote.

The New York Times

The newly discovered problems with NI's computer database search emerged as the company was forced to ask for the postponement of a hearing in its case against Mary Ellen Field, a former adviser to model Elle Macpherson.

Independent

Samaranch said he did not ask for a postponement, and CBS said there was "absolutely no connection whatsoever" between the meeting and the delay, although it gave no reason for the change.

The New York Times - Sports

Amoah says he supports Morocco's decision to ask for a postponement of the tournament.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you "ask for postponement", be clear and concise about your reasons. Providing a valid justification increases the likelihood of your request being granted.

Common error

Avoid simply "asking for postponement" without providing a clear reason. Unexplained requests are often denied. Always provide context and justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for postponement" functions as a request. It's used to formally or informally seek a delay or rescheduling of an event, deadline, or obligation. As seen from Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ask for postponement" is a grammatically sound and generally acceptable phrase used to request a delay or rescheduling. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. While it is a correct phrase, it is better to offer a proper justification. Alternatives such as "request a delay" or "seek deferral" can be used depending on the level of formality required. When using this phrase, clarity and justification are key to ensure a positive response. The phrase is most appropriate in neutral to professional communication contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a postponement

Replaces "ask" with the more formal "request".

request a delay

Simplifies the request by using the word "delay" instead of "postponement".

seek a postponement

Substitutes "ask" with "seek", implying a more deliberate effort.

apply for a postponement

Emphasizes a formal application process for the delay.

seek a delay

Simplifies the request by using the word "delay" instead of "postponement" and changes "ask" to "seek".

put in a request for postponement

Adds a layer of formality by using "put in a request".

apply for a delay

Emphasizes a formal application process for the delay with the word "delay" instead of "postponement".

move for a postponement

Suggests a legal or formal procedural context.

seek deferral

Uses the term "deferral" which is a synonym for postponement.

request rescheduling

Focuses on the action of rescheduling an event.

FAQs

What does it mean to "ask for postponement"?

To "ask for postponement" means to request that something be delayed or rescheduled to a later time. It is a polite way of seeking a delay for a previously scheduled event or deadline.

How do I properly "ask for postponement" of a deadline?

When you "ask for postponement", clearly state the reason for your request and suggest an alternative timeframe. Be professional and respectful in your communication.

What can I say instead of "ask for postponement"?

You can use alternatives like "request a delay", "seek deferral", or "apply for a postponement" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to "ask for postponement" via email?

Yes, it is generally acceptable to "ask for postponement" via email, especially if you have a pre-existing professional relationship. However, for urgent matters, consider a phone call followed by an email confirmation.