delay indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to postponing an event or action without a specified end date or timeframe. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to delay indefinitely the launch of the new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Then in late November, the agency extended the delay indefinitely.

The New York Times

But the Republicans are likely to have enough votes in the Senate to delay indefinitely bills they don't like.

The Economist

While he noted that foreign regulators could use the additional time to catch up, he also argued that the agency should not delay indefinitely.

The New York Times

They see an opportunity to win support from Congress for their businesses and to delay indefinitely the costs of reducing pollution from heat-trapping gases.

The New York Times

Obama also accepts Israel's position that any such proposal must be conditional on a comprehensive peace settlement, which the US and Israel can continue to delay indefinitely.

The Guardian - Opinion

In New York, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg's decision to delay indefinitely development of two new baseball stadiums underscores the public sector's reluctance to finance any more.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

So that flight was delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

The departure was delayed indefinitely and without explanation.

The New York Times

A few projects have already been delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times - Science

There was to have been a fourth hotel, whose opening has been delayed indefinitely.

The New Yorker

Jean Nouvel's 75-story residential tower adjoining the Museum of Modern Art has been delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “delay indefinitely” to express uncertainty about when something will be resumed.

Common error

Avoid using "delay indefinitely" when a resumption date, even tentative, exists. Opt for phrases like "delay temporarily" or "postpone until further notice" if there's any chance of future action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay indefinitely" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb, indicating the action of postponing something without a specified endpoint. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable. Examples show usage in news and business contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delay indefinitely" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe the action of postponing something without a specified time for resumption. According to Ludwig, it’s suitable for various contexts, particularly news and business. Alternatives include "postpone indefinitely" and "suspend indefinitely". When employing this phrase, ensure that the context reflects the absence of a predetermined future date. Consider opting for alternatives if there's any anticipation of a future action date.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone indefinitely

Replaces "delay" with "postpone", suggesting a more formal or official postponement.

defer indefinitely

Substitutes "delay" with "defer", which is a more formal term for postponement.

suspend indefinitely

Uses "suspend" instead of "delay", implying a temporary cessation with no defined resumption date.

shelve indefinitely

Employs "shelve", suggesting that the item is put aside and not actively considered.

hold off indefinitely

Uses "hold off", implying a conscious decision to wait, without a specific future date.

extend the delay indefinitely

This alternative highlights the fact that there was already a delay and it's prolonged with no defined time.

put off indefinitely

Uses the phrasal verb "put off", which means to postpone or delay.

table indefinitely

Employs "table", indicating that the item is set aside for future consideration.

adjourn indefinitely

Replaces "delay" with "adjourn", often used in formal or meeting contexts.

hold in abeyance indefinitely

Uses "hold in abeyance", a more formal and less common way of saying to postpone.

FAQs

How is "delay indefinitely" used in a sentence?

You can use "delay indefinitely" when referring to the postponement of an event or action without a specific end date or timeframe. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to "delay indefinitely" the launch of the new product."

What can I say instead of "delay indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone indefinitely", "suspend indefinitely", or "shelve indefinitely" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "delay indefinitely"?

Yes, "delay indefinitely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English. It means to postpone something without specifying when it will be resumed or completed.

What's the difference between "delay indefinitely" and "delay temporarily"?

"Delay indefinitely" implies that there is no set date for resumption, whereas "delay temporarily" suggests that the postponement is for a limited period, even if the exact duration is unknown.