delay it until

USAGE SUMMARY

"delay it until" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a specific timeframe in which something will be postponed or pushed back. For example: "I need you to delay your trip until next week when I can join you." "We will have to delay our project until we receive the necessary funding." Please note, it is important to use a specific time or event after "until" to clarify when the delay will end. For example, "until further notice" or "until further updates" are not specific enough and may cause confusion.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Acer also intended to release a Windows RT device alongside its Windows 8-based products, but initially decided to delay it until the second quarter of 2013 in response to the mixed reaction to Surface.

Wikipedia

Should I begin collecting Social Security or should I delay it until she graduates?

The New York Times

They agreed to delay it until early October to give regulators time to review it.

The New York Times - Tech

It's time for them to either try to fix this bill or delay it until after the election.

The New York Times

"But I also have no doubt this legislation is needed and that we cannot delay it until the autumn".

The Guardian

"It puts you at a financial disadvantage, so they try to delay it until they have made enough money".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

The I.A.A.F. was planning to release its decision Thursday, but has delayed it until Saturday to give Pistorius a chance to respond.

The New York Times - Sports

The company proposed delaying it until July or August.

The New York Times

There is talk now of delaying it until after a budget is passed in December.

The Economist

The Arab League, originally planning a Monday meeting, has delayed it until Wednesday.

The New York Times

The company had originally said it would release Vista in 2005, then delayed it until mid-2006.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay it until", ensure the 'until' clause specifies a clear and achievable timeframe or event to avoid ambiguity. For instance, "delay it until the end of the quarter" is more effective than "delay it until later."

Common error

Avoid using indefinite time references with "delay it until", like "delay it until further notice". Instead, provide a concrete deadline or triggering event to minimize confusion and ensure accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay it until" functions as a directive, indicating a postponement of an action or event to a specific time. According to Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound phrase. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

12%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay it until" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the postponement of something to a specific future time, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, it serves to direct or advise on delaying an action until a condition is met. Ensure clarity by specifying concrete timeframes or events, and avoid vague references like "further notice". Alternatives such as "postpone it until" or "defer it until" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone it until

Replaces "delay" with "postpone", emphasizing a temporary suspension.

defer it until

Uses "defer" instead of "delay", suggesting a more formal postponement.

put it off until

Employs the phrasal verb "put off", indicating a more casual postponement.

reschedule it for

Focuses on the act of resetting the schedule to a later time.

hold it off until

Replaces "delay" with "hold off", conveying a sense of resistance to immediate action.

shelve it until

Suggests putting something aside temporarily, potentially for a longer term.

suspend it until

Implies a temporary cessation of something, with the intention of resuming it later.

table it until

Formally sets something aside for future consideration, often in a meeting context.

adjourn it until

Implies postponing a meeting or session to a later time.

carry it over until

Suggests postponing something to a subsequent period or phase.

FAQs

How can I use "delay it until" in a sentence?

You can use "delay it until" to indicate that something will be postponed to a later point in time. For example, "We will have to delay the launch until we get approval".

What can I say instead of "delay it until"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone it until", "defer it until", or "put it off until" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "delay it to" instead of "delay it until"?

While you might "delay something to" a certain extent, "delay it until" is more appropriate when specifying a future point in time that marks the end of the delay.

What's the difference between "delay it until" and "delaying it until"?

"Delay it until" is an imperative or infinitive form, used in commands or general statements. "Delaying it until" is a gerund or present participle form, often used to describe an ongoing action or part of a larger clause. For example: "Delay it until next week" (command) vs "We are delaying it until next week" (ongoing action).