decided to delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided to delay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a choice to postpone an action or event. Example: "After much consideration, we decided to delay the project launch until next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet Virgin Trains decided to delay the teen idol's fans.

Independent

I decided to delay London's arrival until after winter.

The New York Times

But authorities later decided to delay the game.

The Guardian

Parish officials decided to delay any evacuation order.

The New York Times

Given the high moisture of the disc, we decided to delay machine harvest.

Cornell University

WHY have Warner executives decided to delay the release of "Gangster Squad"?

The New York Times

Energy-security concerns partly explained why Germany decided to delay its phasing out of nuclear plants.

The Economist

Though denying wrongdoing, Halliburton has just decided to delay billing for $140m.

The Economist

Leaders in the gulf this week decided to delay any decisions on the matter.

The New York Times

To help defang critics, Massachusetts decided to delay assessing the standards until 2015.

The Economist

But the Democratic leadership has decided to delay consideration of them all until the autumn.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decided to delay", clearly state the reason for the delay to provide context and avoid confusion. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we "decided to delay" the meeting."

Common error

Avoid vague reasons such as "due to unforeseen circumstances" without providing further clarification. This can lead to mistrust or speculation. Instead, be as specific as possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided to delay" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action of postponing something. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage across diverse contexts, showing a clear intention to defer an event, action, or decision to a later time. The Ludwig AI validates the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

17%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decided to delay" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to communicate a conscious decision to postpone something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely applicable across various contexts, primarily in news, academic, and scientific settings. When using this phrase, it’s best practice to provide a clear reason for the delay. Alternatives like "opted to postpone" or "chose to defer" can add nuance depending on the specific situation. Avoid vague explanations to maintain clarity and trust.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opted to postpone

Emphasizes a choice to put something off until a later time.

chose to defer

Highlights a deliberate decision to delay, often for strategic reasons.

resolved to postpone

Suggests a firm decision to delay, indicating a strong commitment.

determined to hold off

Indicates a firm decision to wait before taking action.

made the decision to postpone

Formally states the act of deciding to delay something.

elected to put off

Implies a formal or considered choice to delay.

agreed to defer

Highlights a mutual agreement to delay.

postponed the decision

Focuses on the act of delaying a decision, rather than an action.

delayed making a decision

Emphasizes the postponement of the decision-making process itself.

put off until later

A more informal way of saying decided to delay.

FAQs

How can I use "decided to delay" in a sentence?

You can use "decided to delay" to indicate a conscious choice to postpone something. For example, "The committee "decided to delay" the vote until next week."

What can I say instead of "decided to delay"?

You can use alternatives like "opted to postpone", "chose to defer", or "resolved to postpone" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "decided to delay" or "delayed the decision"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different emphases. "Decided to delay" emphasizes the act of making a decision to postpone something, while "delayed the decision" focuses on the postponement of the decision itself.

What are some common reasons for a company to "decide to delay" a product launch?

Common reasons include unforeseen technical issues, market conditions, or the need for further testing. A company might "decide to delay" a product launch to ensure a higher quality product and a better reception from customers.