delay until later

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay until later" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to postpone or put off something until a later time. Example: "Due to the inclement weather, we have decided to delay the outdoor concert until later this evening. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consider whether to take Social Security at age 62, or to delay until later and get the higher payout, especially if you are in good health and your spouse is not or vice versa.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The judge then returned and announced that the parties had asked that the hearing be delayed until later that day.

The New York Times

As a result, plans for the ninth season had been delayed until later in 2014 and Geldof was yet to sign a contract for the role.

Independent

The extension comes less than a month after Pepsi said its acquisition of Quaker Oats would be delayed until later in the third quarter as talks with Federal Trade Commission officials continue.

The New York Times

As a result of its detachment from baptism, confirmation came to be delayed until later in life, so that in the modern church the minimum age for receiving it is seven; many dioceses, however, have established an older minimum age.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A decision on that issue, originally expected at the summit meeting, has been delayed until later in March because of Germany's reluctance to move, fearing that such a step could undermine market confidence, rather than bolster it.

The New York Times

The Minister re-affirmed that government plans to charge the leader of a Punjab-based militant organization under the Security of Pakistan Act, but said that the arrest would be delayed until later in November.

The Guardian

It was also due to be on sale at supermarket chain Tesco from last month, but that has now been delayed until later in the year.

BBC

A decision on this motion, which could still keep an option open for a further escalation, will be delayed until later in the weekend conference.

BBC

They are delayed until later when it's about constraints and trade-offs".Additionally, certain healthcare and long-term care planning decisions need to be made at an early age, such as buying long-term care insurance or contributing to a Health Savings Account HSAA) while working.

Forbes

Because of the lessons they must learn, a love relationship or marriage is often delayed until later in life (as opposed to conventionally marrying in their 20s).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delay until later" when you want to explicitly state that something will be postponed and resumed at a specific, though undefined, future time. This is especially useful in project management and scheduling contexts.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences using passive voice when you can use active voice. For example, instead of saying "The decision was delayed until later", try "We will delay the decision until later" for more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay until later" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the postponement of an action or decision. It specifies that something will not happen now but at an unspecified time in the future. Ludwig provides examples in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "delay until later" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for indicating postponement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates that an action or decision will occur at a subsequent, unspecified time. Its versatility is evident across diverse sources like news outlets, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. While phrases like "postpone to a later time" and "defer until a future date" offer similar meanings, "delay until later" maintains broad applicability. When using this phrase, avoid passive voice constructions to ensure clarity and directness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone to a later time

Replaces "delay" with "postpone" and "until later" with "to a later time", emphasizing the act of rescheduling.

defer until a future date

Uses "defer" instead of "delay" and specifies "future date", making it slightly more formal.

put off until later

Replaces "delay" with the phrasal verb "put off", which is more informal.

reschedule for a later time

Suggests a more formal and organized approach to postponing something.

hold off until later

Implies a temporary suspension of action, using the phrasal verb "hold off".

suspend until further notice

Indicates a temporary halt with an uncertain resumption time.

adjourn until a later session

Commonly used in formal meetings and legal contexts.

shelve for the time being

Suggests temporarily setting aside an idea or project.

table until the next meeting

Typically used in formal meetings to postpone discussion of an item.

hold over until later

Indicates keeping something for a later occasion or time.

FAQs

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

You can use "delay until later" to indicate that something will be postponed to a subsequent time. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will have to "delay until later" the release of the new software update".

What phrases are similar to "delay until later"?

Alternatives include "postpone to a later time", "defer until a future date", or "put off until later". The choice depends on the desired level of formality and specific context.

Is there a difference between "delay until later" and "postpone until later"?

While both convey a similar meaning, "postpone" often suggests a more formal or definite rescheduling. "Delay until later" can imply a less certain timeframe. For example both are good: "Let's "delay until later" our decision" or "Let's "postpone until later" our decision".

When is it appropriate to use "delay until later" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "delay until later" in various contexts, such as project management, scheduling, and general communication, when you need to indicate that an action or decision will be deferred to a subsequent, unspecified time.