delay the preparation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay the preparation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing postponing or deferring the process of getting something ready or organized. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to delay the preparation of the event until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If you are planning to delay the preparation, keep the pit on the avocado and put the other half back to prevent oxidation.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Covad Communications, the country's largest provider of the lines, has sued Bell Atlantic, accusing the company of delaying the preparation of lines for competitors' high-speed services.

The New York Times

He said he did not want anyone to reduce the issue to money, and he expressed frustration that government resistance to releasing "sensitive security information" had delayed the preparation for a liability trial.

The New York Times

The Transition Committee therefore sometimes delayed the preparation for transfer to adult care in these research-recruited patients.

BMC Health Services Research

Construction problems - coupled with public protests about the money being spent - have delayed the preparations.

BBC

Construction problems and public protests about the money being spent have delayed the preparations, the BBC's Wyre Davies in Rio de Janeiro reports.

BBC

Construction problems and public protests about the money being spent have delayed the preparations, as the BBC's Wyre Davies reports.

BBC

The difficult, dangerous work of decontamination, already delayed because the preparation has been more troublesome than Mr. Rustine expected, could begin soon.

The New York Times

According to several crewmembers, Waddle, when informed that equipment preparations would further delay the start of the demonstration maneuvers, "seemed frustrated that he couldn't start the maneuvers right away".

Wikipedia

A finding of significant impact would trigger preparation of an environmental impact statement that would delay the projects for months.

The New York Times

Rossi noted that there had been some delay in the preparation of the design for the new half dollar, and that California Senator Samuel M. Shortridge had urged Rossi's committee to move forward without delay.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delay the preparation", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific preparation is being postponed and the reason for the delay. This avoids ambiguity and provides necessary information to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "delay the preparation" without specifying what preparation is being delayed. Without context, the phrase can be vague and confusing. Always provide details about the specific task or process being postponed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the preparation" functions as a verb phrase where "delay" acts as a transitive verb and "the preparation" serves as its direct object. The primary grammatical function is to indicate the postponement of a process or task.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delay the preparation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the postponement of preparatory activities. While relatively rare in usage, it appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wiki articles. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. When using the phrase, ensure the context is clear about what specific preparation is being delayed. Alternatives such as "postpone the preparation" and "defer the preparation" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overall, the phrase is a valid way to express the act of delaying preparatory actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the preparation

Replaces "delay" with "postpone", emphasizing a decision to reschedule the preparation for a later time.

defer the preparation

Uses "defer" instead of "delay", suggesting a more formal and intentional postponement of the preparation.

put off the preparation

Replaces "delay" with "put off", indicating a less formal postponement, often due to reluctance.

hold off on the preparation

Emphasizes temporarily stopping the preparation, often due to uncertainty or pending information.

suspend the preparation

Suggests a temporary interruption of the preparation, implying it will resume later.

slow down the preparation

Focuses on reducing the pace of preparation rather than completely stopping or postponing it.

hinder the preparation

Highlights the act of impeding or obstructing the preparation process.

stall the preparation

Implies delaying the preparation to gain time or avoid a specific outcome.

prolong the preparation

Emphasizes extending the duration of the preparation, often unintentionally.

extend the preparation period

Specifically refers to making the preparation time longer, either intentionally or due to unforeseen circumstances.

FAQs

What does "delay the preparation" mean?

The phrase "delay the preparation" means to postpone or put off the process of getting something ready. It indicates that the start or continuation of preparatory actions is being deferred to a later time.

What are some alternatives to "delay the preparation"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone the preparation", "defer the preparation", or "put off the preparation" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

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

Here's an example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to delay the preparation for the conference." The phrase is used to indicate that the preparatory activities were postponed.

Is it better to say "delay the preparation" or "delay preparing"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "delay the preparation" refers specifically to postponing the preparatory work itself, while "delay preparing" (or better, "delay preparations") refers more broadly to postponing the act of preparing. The best choice depends on the specific context.