cannot be postponed

USAGE SUMMARY

'cannot be postponed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something has a time limit and needs to be done now as opposed to later. For example, "We need to finish building the deck before the rain comes. It cannot be postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The reckoning, though, cannot be postponed forever.

The New York Times

Indeed this is an idea that cannot be postponed".

Independent

The new millennium has consolidated ESR automation and a QC plan cannot be postponed.

Clinical Biochemistry

Both will shed jobs in a restructuring that cannot be postponed.

The Economist

That's a message I heard recently when President Medvedev said that "freedom cannot be postponed".

The New York Times

Domestically, however, the great encounters with London's two major clubs cannot be postponed.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

But the CBO also has reminded us that tax hikes and spending cuts cannot indefinitely be postponed, because government debt would then rise to unacceptable levels.

Huffington Post

Its desire for an ever looser union may be postponed but cannot be avoided.

The Economist

The response to a rising permanent rate of unemployment as a result of technological change can perhaps be postponed but cannot be offset by traditional job creation programmes.

Huffington Post

Whether this procedure should be performed immediately or can be postponed until fracture healing cannot be deduced from this study.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

"Reform is not a luxury that can be postponed, but a necessity that cannot wait," Mr. Obama says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot be postponed" to clearly communicate the urgency or inevitability of a task, event, or decision. This ensures that the audience understands the importance of timely action.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be postponed" in overly casual situations. Simpler phrases like "can't wait" or "needs to happen now" may be more appropriate for informal communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be postponed" functions as a modal phrase expressing necessity or inevitability. It indicates that a particular action, event, or decision must occur at a specific time and cannot be delayed. Ludwig confirms this usage with many examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot be postponed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for conveying urgency and necessity. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It typically appears in news articles, scientific papers, and formal communications, indicating a neutral to professional register. To enhance clarity, consider directness and steer clear of overly casual contexts. Alternative expressions like "cannot be delayed" and "must happen immediately" offer similar meaning. When communicating something cannot be postponed remember to always consider your audience and overall context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be delayed

This alternative directly replaces "postponed" with "delayed", maintaining a high degree of semantic similarity.

cannot wait

A simpler and more direct way of expressing that something needs to happen now.

must happen immediately

This alternative emphasizes the immediacy of the action, highlighting the lack of allowance for delay.

is unavoidable

This conveys the sense that the event or action is inevitable and cannot be prevented from occurring.

brooks no delay

This phrase uses a more formal and emphatic tone, suggesting that any delay is unacceptable.

admits of no delay

Similar to "brooks no delay", this is a more formal way of saying that delay is not an option.

requires immediate action

This alternative focuses on the need for action, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

demands immediate attention

This implies that the matter is important enough to require immediate focus and action.

is of the essence

This phrase emphasizes the critical importance of timing and the need to act swiftly.

is time-sensitive

This indicates that the matter is subject to a limited window of opportunity and must be addressed promptly.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot be postponed" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be postponed" to emphasize the urgency of an action or event. For example, "The deadline for submitting the application cannot be postponed."

What are some alternatives to "cannot be postponed"?

Alternatives include "cannot be delayed", "must happen immediately", or "is unavoidable", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "cannot be postponed"?

Yes, "cannot be postponed" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be postponed"?

It is appropriate to use "cannot be postponed" in situations where it is crucial to convey the necessity of immediate action or to emphasize that delaying something is not an option.