has been postponing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been postponing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action of delaying or deferring something that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The committee has been postponing the decision on the new policy for several months now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the face of a member's complaint, the commission has been postponing consideration of other lobbying groups' applications for exemptions.

The New York Times

Most MPs assume that the London mayor will declare for Remain and has been postponing the announcement through some combination of cunning and cowardice.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The project has been postponed.

The Economist

The battle has been postponed.

The Economist

It has been postponed.

The New York Times - Magazine

In north Darfur, voting has been postponed.

Independent

Without Filin, it has been postponed.

Independent

"It has been postponed until 21 October.

Independent

But the meeting has been postponed.

The Economist

A civil trial has been postponed.

The New York Times

A decision has been postponed until 2012.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been postponing" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of the postponement. For example, "The company has been postponing the product launch due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid using "has been postponing" when a simple past tense like "postponed" is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The meeting has been postponing yesterday", say "The meeting was postponed yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been postponing" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present perfect continuous tense. It describes an action of delaying that started in the past and continues to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

News & Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been postponing" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of delaying or deferring something. Ludwig AI indicates it is correct and appropriate, particularly in news and media contexts. While other alternatives such as "has been delaying" or "has been deferring" may offer slightly different nuances, the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, ensure that the present perfect continuous tense is appropriate and that a simpler past tense isn't more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been delaying

Replaces "postponing" with "delaying", a direct synonym emphasizing the act of causing something to occur later than expected.

has been deferring

Substitutes "postponing" with "deferring", suggesting a more formal or official postponement to a later time.

has been putting off

Replaces "postponing" with the idiomatic "putting off", indicating a tendency to avoid or delay something unpleasant or undesirable.

has been holding off on

Uses "holding off on" in place of "postponing", implying a deliberate decision to wait before taking action.

has been suspending

Replaces "postponing" with "suspending", suggesting a temporary cessation or interruption.

has been adjourning

Substitutes "postponing" with "adjourning", often used in formal settings to indicate a temporary break or postponement of a meeting or session.

has been rescheduling

Replaces "postponing" with "rescheduling", implying that a new time or date has been set for the event or action.

has been protracting

Uses "protracting" in place of "postponing", highlighting the act of intentionally prolonging or extending something.

has been stalling

Replaces "postponing" with "stalling", suggesting a deliberate attempt to delay or obstruct progress.

has been filibustering

Substitutes "postponing" with "filibustering", used specifically in political contexts to describe the act of delaying or preventing a vote on a bill by prolonged speechmaking.

FAQs

What does "has been postponing" mean?

The phrase "has been postponing" indicates that an action or event has been continuously delayed or deferred over a period of time, starting in the past and continuing into the present.

What are some alternatives to "has been postponing"?

You can use alternatives like "has been delaying", "has been deferring", or "has been putting off" depending on the context.

Is "has been postponing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "has been postponing" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect continuous tense to describe an action that started in the past and is ongoing.

How can I use "has been postponing" in a sentence?

You can use "has been postponing" to describe a situation where someone or something is continuously delaying an event or decision. For example: "The committee "has been postponing" the vote on the new regulations."