delaying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delaying" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of postponing or putting off an action or event. Example: "The project is facing delays due to unforeseen circumstances, causing us to consider delaying the launch date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The impact both on them and on wider society is already becoming clear, with rising numbers of young people delaying having children, unable to move for job opportunities and spending longer and longer living with their parents because of the crippling cost of housing," Robb said.

The Guardian - Money

With the upcoming challenge of its exit, QE is proving a truth of even the most well-intentioned bailouts: getting the financial system out of trouble doesn't mean ending a crisis for good; it means only delaying the reckoning until the economy is strong enough to take it.

The Guardian - Business

The Care Act, which came into force in April, promises real progress in preventing and delaying people from needing acute forms of care.

The Guardian

But the OECD said that delaying some of the cuts planned for the financial years 2015-16 and 2016-17 woulowerower the impact on growth".

The Guardian - Business

The Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, has been criticised for failing to defeat the insurgency and accused of delaying the election, originally set for 14 February, because he faces defeat.

The Guardian

The spokeswoman said that Flybe was sorry for delaying their customers but added that the airline had to ensure all their planes were safe.

The Guardian

The new Greek government has picked its first fight with the European Union, delaying agreement on further EU sanctions against Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine.

The Guardian

The diet is also viewed by some as a potential way of slowing down the growth of tumours and significantly delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Any distractions on work we are doing now could run the risk of delaying our drugs pipeline," he said.

The Guardian - Business

By enabling us to consume conspicuously and by introducing café culture to the birthplace of the industrial revolution, it seemed for a while that things could only get better, but of course this proved to be a mere sticking plaster, simply delaying the crisis that loomed on the horizon.

The Guardian

Local plans are now taking four months longer to put in place, and further delaying the development of new homes, mainly because of these battles over housing numbers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "delaying", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Postponing" might be better for scheduled events, while "hindering" may fit when describing obstructions.

Common error

Avoid using "delaying" when you mean "denying". "Delaying" means to postpone or slow down, while "denying" means to refuse or reject. For example, say "denying a request", not "delaying a request".

Linguistic Context

The word "delaying" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, indicating an ongoing action of causing something to occur at a later time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "delaying" functions as a present participle, denoting the act of causing something to be postponed or slowed down. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Common contexts include news and media, formal business settings, and lifestyle discussions. Related terms include "postponing", "deferring", and "hindering", each carrying slightly different nuances. A key writing tip is to avoid mistaking "delaying" for "denying". Overall, "delaying" is a versatile and frequently used term in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponing

Focuses on the act of rescheduling to a later time.

deferring

Implies a more formal or official postponement.

putting off

A more casual way of saying postponing.

suspending

Indicates a temporary cessation or postponement.

hindering

Highlights the act of obstructing or impeding progress.

impeding

Similar to hindering, but suggests a more significant obstruction.

procrastinating

Emphasizes the intentional act of delaying, often due to reluctance.

stalling

Implies delaying intentionally to gain time.

slowing down

Emphasizes reducing the speed or pace of something.

holding back

Suggests restraint or preventing something from happening immediately.

FAQs

How is "delaying" used in a sentence?

"Delaying" is used as a verb in its present participle form. For instance, "The rain is "delaying" the game" or "They are "delaying" the decision."

What's the difference between "delaying" and "postponing"?

"Delaying" generally means to cause something to happen later than it should. "Postponing" specifically means to reschedule something to a later time, often with a new, definite date.

What words have a similar meaning to "delaying"?

Similar words include "deferring", "hindering", "impeding", and "procrastinating". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "delaying tactics"?

Yes, "delaying tactics" is a common and correct phrase. It refers to strategies used to postpone or slow down a process, often in legal or political contexts.