delay the operation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay the operation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to postponing a specific action or procedure, often in a medical, technical, or operational context. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to delay the operation until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

But the surgical team decided to delay the operation a day.

The New York Times

A team spokesman said King would have needed surgery after the season and decided not to delay the operation.

The New York Times - Sports

"The government's proposed delay of the tax is a cynical election move to delay the operation of the tax until after the election.

The Guardian

He nearly opted for season-ending surgery a few weeks ago, but will now delay the operation until after the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

An Israeli attack, they add, would delay the operation by two years, while more sophisticated U.S. capabilities would take it out for up to four years.

The New York Times

But she decided to delay the operation until after the race at Aintree and told only those closest to her about her illness.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Kerr's concerns, and the tremendous difficulties of the eradication program, threatened to delay the operations by a whole year, at the risk of losing UNRRA funding.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Severe weather and technical problems have continually delayed the operation.

The Guardian

She feared delaying the operation, and said no, promising to be on the next plane to Chile.

The New Yorker

Even using the pilot hole, the 12-inch drill encountered a steel roofing bolt that heavily damaged the equipment and delayed the operation for a few days.

The New York Times

Her family had delayed the operation because they were too poor to cover the exorbitant costs; when her situation worsened, they were forced to borrow money from a loan shark.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay the operation" in medical contexts, specify the reason for the delay to provide clarity and manage expectations. For example, "We need to delay the operation due to unforeseen complications."

Common error

Avoid using "delay the operation" without considering the specific field or context. While generally understood, it might require further clarification to ensure the audience understands the nature of the "operation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the operation" functions as a verb phrase where "delay" acts as the main verb indicating the action of postponing, and "the operation" serves as the direct object, specifying what is being postponed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay the operation" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the postponement of a specific action or procedure. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. While suitable for various settings, it's crucial to specify the reason for the delay and consider the audience when communicating about this action. Related phrases include "postpone the procedure" and "defer the surgery", providing alternative ways to express the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the procedure

Replaces 'operation' with the synonym 'procedure', emphasizing the rescheduling of a set of actions.

defer the surgery

Substitutes 'delay' with 'defer' and 'operation' with 'surgery', often used in medical contexts.

reschedule the process

Changes 'delay' to 'reschedule' and 'operation' to 'process', highlighting a change in timing for a series of actions.

put off the task

Replaces 'delay' with 'put off' and 'operation' with 'task', indicating a postponement of a specific duty.

hold off on the action

Substitutes 'delay' with 'hold off on' and 'operation' with 'action', suggesting a temporary suspension.

suspend the undertaking

Replaces 'delay' with 'suspend' and 'operation' with 'undertaking', implying a temporary cessation of a project.

table the measure

Changes 'delay' to 'table' and 'operation' to 'measure', often used in political or formal settings to postpone discussion or action.

adjourn the session

Replaces 'delay' with 'adjourn' and 'operation' with 'session', specifically referring to postponing a meeting or formal gathering.

shelve the plan

Substitutes 'delay' with 'shelve' and 'operation' with 'plan', indicating a postponement with uncertain resumption.

slow down the tempo

Changes 'delay' to 'slow down' and 'operation' to 'tempo', suggesting a reduction in pace rather than a full postponement.

FAQs

How can I use "delay the operation" in a sentence?

You can use "delay the operation" to indicate the postponement of a planned action or procedure. For example, "The surgical team decided to "delay the operation" a day to give the doctor time to rest."

What phrases are similar to "delay the operation"?

Similar phrases include "postpone the procedure", "defer the surgery", or "reschedule the process". The best choice depends on the context.

Is it better to say "delay the operation" or "postpone the operation"?

Both "delay the operation" and "postpone the operation" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice depends on personal preference, as they convey essentially the same meaning.

What are some reasons someone might "delay the operation"?

Reasons for someone to "delay the operation" include unforeseen complications, logistical issues, or a need for further preparation. The specific reason depends on the context.