delay the event

USAGE SUMMARY

"delay the event" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to putting something off, postponing it, or slowing it down. For example: "Due to the current public health situation, the organizers of the event decided to delay the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Following the well-known events of recent days," said a Vatican statement released Tuesday, "it seems opportune to delay the event".

The New York Times

Don't delay, the event is sure to sell out.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In May organisers delayed the event from a scheduled date of 18 June and said a free, public concert would be held in Paris in the autumn instead.

The Guardian

Hall then arrived late for the pistol competition but was spared disqualification owing to a protest from the Soviet team that had delayed the event.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Dredging would not have prevented the flooding in Somerset, says Mr Woolhouse; it would have just delayed the event by a few days.

The Economist

In 2008, that school delayed the event until sunrise for the first time since Driesell established the tradition.

Wikipedia

The race was scheduled to start on Sunday, March 28 , 2010 but rain delayed the event until noon EDT on Monday, March 29.

Wikipedia

When processing of the second item of a pair was not required (release condition), the P1' event tended to be wider and delayed, the N1' event was significantly delayed and smaller and no P3' event was observed.

Plosone

The holistic model is appropriate when the preventive measures exhibit a continuous biological action, such as blood pressure reduction, in which everyone experiences a reduction and the health benefits are expected to accrue to everyone who would have had an event in the absence of preventive intervention by delaying the event as well as possibly avoiding it.

European Journal of Epidemiology

This retards the recruitment of SEC13/31 to SEC23/24 and thus delays the events leading to the biogenesis of the COPII vesicle (Malhotra and Erlmann, 2011).

eLife

Officials have said that they do not expect it to delay the equestrian events in Hong Kong, scheduled to start on Saturday morning, unless the storm changes direction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay the event", consider the specific reason for the delay and communicate it clearly to avoid confusion or frustration among participants.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you will "delay the event" without providing a reason or a potential new date. This can lead to uncertainty and dissatisfaction among those involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the event" functions as a verb phrase where "delay" is the verb, and "the event" is the direct object. It indicates the action of postponing or rescheduling something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay the event" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the postponement of a scheduled event. According to Ludwig, the phrase is valid and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news, scientific, and wiki contexts. When using the phrase, clarity in communicating the reason for the delay is essential. While generally neutral in tone, more formal settings may benefit from synonyms like "postpone" or "defer". Consider alternatives such as "reschedule the event" or "put off the event" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the event

Replaces "delay" with a more direct synonym, implying a temporary suspension.

reschedule the event

Focuses on setting a new date rather than just delaying the original one.

put off the event

Offers an informal alternative to "delay", suggesting a less formal context.

move the event to a later date

Explicitly states the action of changing the event's timing.

hold off on the event

Implies a temporary pause or suspension of the event.

put the event on hold

Indicates a temporary cessation of planning or activity related to the event.

suspend the event

Suggests a more significant interruption, possibly with an uncertain resumption date.

adjourn the event

A more formal term for temporarily suspending the event, often used in official meetings.

defer the event

Suggests postponing the event to a later time, often implying a degree of respect or consideration.

table the event

Primarily used in formal settings to postpone discussion or action indefinitely.

FAQs

What does "delay the event" mean?

To "delay the event" means to postpone it or put it off until a later time. It implies that the event will still happen, but not at the originally scheduled time.

What can I say instead of "delay the event"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone the event", "reschedule the event", or "put off the event" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "delay of the event"?

While technically understandable, "delay of the event" is less common and idiomatic than "delay the event". The latter is the more natural and frequently used phrasing.

What are some common reasons to "delay the event"?

Events might be "delayed due to" unforeseen circumstances such as weather, logistical issues, or speaker unavailability.