indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

'indefinitely' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb which means for an unlimited or unknown amount of time - for example, "We have postponed the meeting indefinitely".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

Northern Ireland secretary John Reid has until Saturday night to find a compromise between Sinn Fein and David Trimble's Ulster Unionists on decommissioning, police reform and demilitarisation, or again suspend the assembly (either indefinitely or for six weeks) or call fresh elections.

The Guardian

As a result Greenpeace suspended action against APP indefinitely.

The Guardian

Asylum seekers indefinitely detained in Australian detention centres live with the knowledge that they may be deported to countries where they will be potentially tortured and killed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Richard Fuller, the Tory MP for Bedford, told protesters that "no purpose is served by locking up vulnerable women indefinitely in Yarl's Wood".

The Guardian

It was a painful process, a tacit acknowledgment on Jane's part that she would not be able to take photographs indefinitely – she was in her late 70s at the time – and a growing awareness that this had been an immense support to her in a way she had always taken for granted.

The Guardian - Arts

Afghans can only buy property, open a bank account and be confident they will be able to remain indefinitely in a country that wants rid of its refugee population by having a CNIC, usually acquired with fake documents and bribes.

The Guardian

Enables the home secretary to indefinitely detain, without charge or trial, foreign nationals who are suspected of terrorism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without a step change in the supply of council and other affordable housing, we are locking in a system of high welfare spending where lower-income households are forced to rely indefinitely on expensive private rented sector housing.

The Guardian

The charges against Peterson cap a deeply troubled week for the NFL in the wake of the Baltimore Ravens terminating the contract of Ray Rice, and the league suspending him indefinitely, after video emerged of the running back knocking his then-fiancee unconscious in an Atlantic City elevator in February.

The Guardian

Obviously that cannot go on indefinitely, but European economies need time to recover from the cataclysm of the financial crisis, which was the first cause of the huge collapse in demand in 2009, with repercussions on productivity.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indefinitely", ensure the context clearly conveys the intended lack of a defined end point, avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "indefinitely" when a specific but distant end point is known or implied; this can mislead your audience. Instead, use phrases that suggest a long duration but acknowledge an eventual conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "indefinitely" functions as a modifier, specifying the duration of an action or state as unlimited or unspecified. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It typically modifies verbs or clauses to indicate the absence of a defined endpoint.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indefinitely" is a versatile adverb used to denote an unlimited or unspecified duration. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. As evidenced by the examples, its usage is common across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as formal and business settings. While alternatives exist for specific nuances, "indefinitely" remains a clear and effective choice for conveying the absence of a defined endpoint. Understanding its scope and appropriate context is key to avoiding misinterpretations, as highlighted in the writing guidance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for an unlimited period

This option emphasizes the boundless nature of the duration.

without a set time limit

This phrase explicitly states the absence of a defined end, focusing on the lack of constraint.

without end

A simpler, more direct way of expressing an unlimited duration.

for an unspecified time

This alternative highlights the uncertainty surrounding the duration.

for the foreseeable future

This alternative implies a long duration, but with a limit defined by what can be predicted.

permanently

This implies a fixed and irreversible state, emphasizing the lack of temporary qualities.

in perpetuity

This phrase suggests a never-ending duration, often used in legal or formal contexts.

for good

This alternative implies a permanent change or cessation, differing slightly in connotation.

continually

This adverb indicates that something is ongoing without interruption.

until further notice

This phrase indicates a temporary state that will last until an announcement is made to change it.

FAQs

How can I use "indefinitely" in a sentence?

Use "indefinitely" to indicate that something will continue for an unlimited or unspecified amount of time. For example, "The meeting has been postponed "indefinitely"".

What's a formal alternative to "indefinitely"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "for the foreseeable future" or "in perpetuity" to convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated tone.

Is it correct to use "indefinitely" when there is a potential end date?

No, "indefinitely" implies an unknown or unlimited duration. If there's a potential end date, use phrases like "until further notice" or specify the potential timeframe.

What is the difference between "indefinitely" and "permanently"?

"Indefinitely" means for an unlimited time, while "permanently" suggests something is fixed and unchangeable. Something postponed "indefinitely" might be rescheduled, but something changed "permanently" is not expected to revert.