keep delaying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep delaying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which another person or entity has been postponing or putting off an action, usually for a long period of time. For example, "After months of keep delaying our request, the government finally issued the permit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"They keep delaying and delaying on a contract.

The New York Times

"There is no reason why we keep delaying and delaying and delaying".

The New York Times

If you keep delaying members with your shoeshines, I'll complain about you to the speaker of the parliament!' I said, 'I don't care.

The New Yorker

"They'll delay it, then they'll keep delaying it for the next three to four years," said Afaf Ali, 19, a student sitting with friends at the Egyptian Public Library.

The New York Times

The cost of health care eats up more and more of our savings each year, yet we keep delaying reform.

Forbes

Prior to the confirmation of his meeting with Fury, Haye had goaded the Manchester-born fighter on Twitter,  saying: "Lets hope he finally agrees and doesn't keep delaying.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The Mayor agreed, but he kept delaying his departure.

The New Yorker

Nets coaches and officials were confounded when the doctors kept delaying his return.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever the logic, the couple kept delaying the wedding date and finally called off the engagement.

The New York Times

But the director kept delaying, most recently in favour of The Wolf Of Wall Street.

The Guardian - Film

Instead, Mr. Tucker said, an Adecco representative kept delaying the start date.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep delaying" to emphasize the repetitive nature of the postponements. It's suitable when you want to highlight the frustration or persistence of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "keep delaying" without specifying what is being delayed. Provide context to ensure clarity and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep delaying" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a continuous or repetitive action of postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, emphasizing its role in describing ongoing postponements.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep delaying" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of repeatedly postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms it's usable in different contexts. The phrase is found most frequently in news and media sources, conveying a sense of frustration and highlighting the persistent nature of the delays. Alternatives like "continue to postpone" or "persist in delaying" can be used to add nuance. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being delayed to avoid vagueness. Mastering this expression enhances precision in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to postpone

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the postponement.

persist in delaying

Emphasizes the stubbornness or insistence in delaying.

repeatedly defer

Highlights the act of pushing something to a later time multiple times.

prolong the delay

Focuses on making the delay longer.

extend the deadline

Specifically refers to pushing back a deadline.

stall for time

Implies delaying tactics used strategically.

drag one's feet

An idiomatic expression for delaying intentionally.

hold off on

Suggests waiting before taking action.

put off indefinitely

Implies delaying without a specific future date.

suspend action

Focuses on temporarily stopping an action.

FAQs

How can I use "keep delaying" in a sentence?

You can use "keep delaying" to describe a situation where something is repeatedly postponed. For example, "The company seems to "keep delaying" the project launch, causing frustration among investors".

What are some alternatives to "keep delaying"?

Alternatives include "continue to postpone", "persist in delaying", or "repeatedly defer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "kept delaying" instead of "keep delaying"?

Yes, "kept delaying" is the past tense form of "keep delaying" and is grammatically correct when referring to past actions. For example, "They "kept delaying" the decision until it was too late".

What is the difference between "keep delaying" and "delay"?

"Delay" refers to a single instance of postponement, while "keep delaying" implies a repeated or continuous action of postponing. "Keep delaying" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the delays, whereas "delay" simply acknowledges that a delay occurred.