cannot be delayed

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be delayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase used when something must happen immediately. For example: The project submission deadline is tomorrow, so the work preparation cannot be delayed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"This cannot be delayed".

Independent

This decision cannot be delayed.

The New Yorker

"'Gentlemen: It cannot be delayed longer!

The Economist

The remaining steps cannot be delayed much longer.

The New York Times

"The decision has been taken; it cannot be delayed and it cannot be cancelled.

The Guardian

Passing McCain-Feingold in the House, or something close to it, cannot be delayed.

The New York Times

Moreover – judgmental literalists should understand – creativity cannot be delayed or thwarted.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Irish government, meanwhile, has reiterated that a decision on the issue cannot be delayed or deferred.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

There cannot be delays or deferrals or in any way to seek to stretch this out.

The New York Times

Pat Cox, the Irish president of the European Parliament, said Irish voters had "given the clearest possible signal that Europe's rendezvous with destiny cannot be further delayed or postponed".

The New York Times

Steve Davis avoided the indignity of defeat with a session to spare in his best-of-25-frames quarter-final of the Betfred World Championship but with Australia's Neil Robertson leading him 12-4 his exit cannot be long delayed this afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be delayed" to underscore the urgency of a situation or decision, especially when emphasizing the potential negative consequences of inaction.

Common error

While "cannot be delayed" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "can't wait" or "needs to happen now" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be delayed" functions as a modal phrase indicating necessity and urgency. It emphasizes that a particular action or decision must occur promptly, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples showcasing diverse contexts where immediate action is imperative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot be delayed" is a commonly used phrase that conveys the necessity for immediate action. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While alternatives exist, they may lack the same sense of urgency. When using "cannot be delayed", consider your audience and the context to ensure your message is clear and appropriately emphasized. Ludwig's analysis suggests using this phrase to underscore time-sensitive situations, while avoiding overuse in informal settings where a more relaxed tone is preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must be done immediately

Emphasizes the urgency of completion without postponement.

requires immediate action

Highlights the necessity of acting promptly.

is urgently needed

Stresses the pressing need for something.

demands prompt attention

Indicates that something requires quick and focused consideration.

admits no delay

Formal way of saying there is no allowance for postponement.

does not allow postponement

A more descriptive way to indicate something cannot be put off.

is time-sensitive

Highlights the importance of timing.

is of utmost urgency

Emphasizes the extremely high level of importance and need for speed.

necessitates immediate attention

Similar to "demands prompt attention" but more formal.

cannot wait

A simpler, more direct way of saying something must be done now.

FAQs

How to use "cannot be delayed" in a sentence?

Use "cannot be delayed" to emphasize the urgency or critical nature of an action or decision. For example, "The project submission deadline is tomorrow, so the work preparation "cannot be delayed"."

What can I say instead of "cannot be delayed"?

You can use alternatives like "must be done immediately", "requires immediate action", or "is urgently needed" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "cannot be delayed" or "can not be delayed"?

"Cannot be delayed" is generally preferred and more common. "Can not be delayed" is grammatically correct but less frequently used. The single word form emphasizes the inability to delay.

What's the difference between "cannot be delayed" and "should not be delayed"?

"Cannot be delayed" implies a stronger sense of urgency and necessity, suggesting that delay is impossible or would have severe consequences. "Should not be delayed" suggests that delay is undesirable but potentially possible.