delayed indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

"delayed indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something in the present has been postponed with no clear resolution or plan in sight. Example sentence: Due to the current pandemic, the opening of the new exhibit has been delayed indefinitely.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So that flight was delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

A few projects have already been delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times - Science

The departure was delayed indefinitely and without explanation.

The New York Times

Jean Nouvel's 75-story residential tower adjoining the Museum of Modern Art has been delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

You can remember their stoic heroism the next time your flight is delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times - Arts

Voting has been delayed indefinitely in the election district where Mr. Sharma was running.

The New York Times

If a drug benefit is passed separately, further reform of Medicare could be delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

In the words of one intelligence analyst, "That means the test has been delayed indefinitely".

The New Yorker

One much-ballyhooed provision in the new law is being delayed indefinitely.

The New York Times

There was to have been a fourth hotel, whose opening has been delayed indefinitely.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

You've packed your bags, checked in online and arrived at the airport on time when you find out your flight is delayed -- indefinitely.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delayed indefinitely" when you want to clearly communicate that an event, project, or decision has been postponed without any current plans for rescheduling. This conveys a sense of uncertainty about its future.

Common error

Avoid using "delayed indefinitely" when you strongly suspect or know that the event or project will never actually be resumed. In such cases, it's more accurate to say that it has been cancelled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delayed indefinitely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the manner or extent of the delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delayed indefinitely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that means something has been postponed without a specific future date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and suitable for various contexts, including news, formal communication, and general writing. It is important not to confuse an indefinite delay with a cancellation, as they represent different statuses. While alternatives like "postponed without a set date" exist, "delayed indefinitely" provides a clear and concise way to express the lack of a firm rescheduling plan.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponed without a set date

Replaces "delayed indefinitely" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the lack of a rescheduled date.

put on hold indefinitely

Substitutes "delayed" with "put on hold", suggesting a temporary suspension with no specified return.

suspended indefinitely

Replaces "delayed" with "suspended", indicating a more formal or official postponement.

shelved for the foreseeable future

Indicates the delay is likely to be long-term, suggesting the project is unlikely to be revived soon.

indefinitely adjourned

A more formal alternative, suitable for meetings or legal proceedings.

off the table for now

Indicates the delay is current and there is no telling whether it will be picked up again in the future.

in limbo

Suggests uncertainty and a lack of progress, highlighting the suspended state of the matter.

in abeyance

A formal term indicating temporary inactivity or suspension.

kicked down the road

Suggests the delay is a way of avoiding dealing with the issue immediately.

tabled

Implies that something has been set aside for later consideration but with no specific date or plan.

FAQs

How can I use "delayed indefinitely" in a sentence?

You can use "delayed indefinitely" to describe an event, project, or decision that has been postponed with no specific future date. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project has been "delayed indefinitely"."

What's the difference between "delayed indefinitely" and "cancelled"?

"Delayed indefinitely" implies a postponement with the possibility of resumption at some unspecified time, while "cancelled" means it is not going to happen at all.

What can I say instead of "delayed indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "postponed without a set date", "put on hold indefinitely", or "suspended indefinitely" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "delayed indefinitely"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe something that has been postponed without a definite future date.