could not delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an inability to postpone or defer an action or event. Example: "Due to the urgency of the situation, we could not delay the meeting any further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We could not delay them much longer.

The New Yorker

45° stiffeners could not delay the plasticity process of the joints with big β.

Thin-Walled Structures

In an interview Mr. Richards insisted that he could not delay the closing notice simply to spare Mr. Mamet's feelings.

The New York Times

Under the proposal, brand-name drug companies could not delay competition by filing patents for incidental features of a product like packaging.

The New York Times

The governor said Thursday that if he could not delay same-sex marriages, the state would be prepared to follow the court's ruling.

The New York Times

Not all governments have that luxury, of course: Greece's, for one, could not delay fierce cuts since it could no longer borrow enough to finance its deficits.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"The kids who couldn't delay would often have the rules backwards.

The New Yorker

I believe that I couldn't delay my decisions any longer".

The Guardian

"I began to see this fascinating phenomenon where they morphed from being highly impulsive, immediate creatures who couldn't delay anything," he told me.

The New Yorker

"We still had a few things we were tinkering with, but with this opportunity, obviously we couldn't delay anymore," Stinson said.

The Washington Post

Of course, we couldn't delay some critical projects; we kept our eyes on market conditions and technology trends and invested additional resources to tackle problems related to those projects first.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not delay", ensure the context clearly indicates why the delay was impossible. Providing a reason enhances the sentence's clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "could not delay" when a simple "should not delay" is more appropriate. "Could not" implies an impossibility, while "should not" suggests a recommendation against delaying.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not delay" functions as a modal phrase expressing the impossibility of postponing or deferring an action. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could not delay" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that postponing an action or event was impossible. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usability and correctness. It frequently appears in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies why a delay was not an option, and be mindful that it implies an impossibility rather than just a recommendation against delaying. Alternatives like "couldn't postpone" or "were unable to delay" can be used to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't postpone

Replaces "delay" with "postpone", maintaining a similar meaning of not being able to defer something.

couldn't defer

Substitutes "delay" with "defer", implying an inability to put something off to a later time.

could not put off

Replaces "delay" with the phrasal verb "put off", indicating that something could not be deferred.

were unable to delay

Uses a more formal tone by replacing "could not" with "were unable to", indicating an absence of ability to delay.

were forced to proceed

Shifts the focus to the necessity of moving forward, implying the inability to delay.

were compelled to act

Highlights the sense of obligation or necessity that prevented any delay.

had to proceed immediately

Emphasizes the urgency and the lack of opportunity to delay.

had no choice but to continue

Emphasizes the lack of alternatives, implying the impossibility of delay.

could not hold back

Suggests that something was on the verge of happening and was inevitable.

couldn't wait any longer

Indicates an urgency and eagerness to initiate an action rather than delaying it.

FAQs

How can I use "could not delay" in a sentence?

Use "could not delay" to indicate that postponing an action or event was impossible or highly impractical. For instance, "Due to the critical nature of the situation, we "could not delay" the intervention."

What can I say instead of "could not delay"?

You can use alternatives like "couldn't postpone", "were unable to delay", or "had to proceed immediately" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "could not delay" and "should not delay"?

"Could not delay" implies an impossibility or lack of choice, whereas "should not delay" suggests a recommendation against delaying. The former indicates a constraint, while the latter implies advice.

When is it appropriate to use "could not delay" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when conveying a situation where postponement was genuinely not an option due to constraints or pressing circumstances. Ensure the context supports the strong implication of impossibility.