keep putting it off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep putting it off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of delaying or procrastinating on a task or decision. Example: "I really need to start studying for my exams, but I keep putting it off until the last minute."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

They keep putting it off and putting it off".

The New York Times

It is too easy to keep putting it off, and you can end up drifting apart very quickly.

The Guardian - Opinion

I keep putting it off but I have lots of thoughts and I just have to sit down and cook it up.

The Guardian

Specialists also suspect that many people with Type 2 diabetes need to start taking insulin but keep putting it off because they dread the shots.

The New York Times - Health

"We realized that every 10 years we have a new wave of refugees so we can't keep putting it off," said Anan Ameri, the group's cultural director.

The New York Times

But maybe you keep putting it off, until one day you read in The Brooklyn Paper that Mooney's, there on the border between Park Slope and Prospect Heights for 20 years after 18 years on nearby Seventh Avenue, is going to close because of the neighborhood's now-familiar rent problems.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"He just kept putting it off," Mrs. Miuccio said.

The New York Times

"We should have done it a while ago but we kept putting it off," Ms. Friedman said.

The New York Times

"By then I was so deep in Trumpland, I kept putting it off," he said.

The New Yorker

He had a temper, and I just kept putting it off – never found the right time.

The Guardian

But I just kept putting it off, and then I would lose the thread".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you're giving advice or encouragement, follow "keep putting it off" with strategies to overcome procrastination. This provides context and makes your communication more effective.

Common error

While "keep putting it off" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, avoid it in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "repeatedly postpone" or "continually defer" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep putting it off" functions as a phrasal verb expressing continuous action. It describes the act of repeatedly delaying something, often due to procrastination or unwillingness to face the task. As per Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep putting it off" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb used to describe repeatedly delaying a task or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely understood and acceptable in everyday English. While most frequently found in news and media contexts, it's also used in informal settings like wikis and blogs. For formal writing, consider alternatives such as "repeatedly postpone" or "continually defer". Remember to use it appropriately and provide strategies to avoid procrastination when offering advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep delaying it

A more direct and slightly less idiomatic alternative.

repeatedly postpone

Emphasizes the act of postponing occurring multiple times.

procrastinate consistently

Highlights a habitual pattern of delaying tasks.

leave it for later again and again

Emphasizes the repetitive nature of postponing a task.

continually defer

Implies a more formal or official delay.

persist in postponing

Highlights the stubbornness or persistence in delaying.

delay indefinitely

Indicates a prolonged or unspecified postponement, implying the task might never be done.

hold off indefinitely

Indicates a delay with no specific timeline for resumption.

shelve it repeatedly

Suggests putting a plan or project aside, possibly indefinitely.

habitually put it on the back burner

Highlights that delaying a task is a habitual behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "keep putting it off" in a sentence?

"Keep putting it off" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of repeatedly delaying something. For example, "I know I need to start exercising, but I "keep putting it off"."

What's a more formal way to say "keep putting it off"?

In more formal contexts, you can use alternatives like "repeatedly postpone", "continually defer", or "persist in postponing".

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep putting it off"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Keep putting it off" is a common and accepted phrasal verb in English. Ludwig AI also confirms this.

What does "keep putting it off" imply about the person delaying?

It implies that the person is not just delaying once but doing it repeatedly, often due to a lack of motivation, fear of the task, or other reasons. It suggests a pattern of procrastination.