kept delaying

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept delaying" is a valid usage of English and is often used in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is taking a long time to happen, usually because of a person's or a group's actions. For example, "The City Council kept delaying the vote on the new zoning regulations for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 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

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

The Guardian - Film

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

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

The Court kept delaying its decision, however, and by mid-fall Vault B had still not been opened.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 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

The bondholders also complain that the company keeps delaying the target date for issuing audited financial statements.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

When the time comes to announce her treat, she keeps delaying, something gets between her & the nice gesture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept delaying" to describe a situation where the delay is ongoing or recurring, rather than a one-time event. This emphasizes the repetitive nature of the postponement.

Common error

Avoid using "kept delaying" when the appropriate term is "prevented" or "stopped", which indicate an active obstruction rather than a passive postponement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept delaying" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a past continuous construction, indicating an action of delaying that was ongoing or repeated in the past. As Ludwig explains and the examples show, it shows an action that happened continually.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept delaying" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action of postponement, as confirmed by Ludwig. The analysis of usage contexts reveals its prevalence in news and media, with additional use in formal business and less frequently in scientific contexts. Given its neutral register, this phrase is suitable for a variety of writing situations. Understanding the phrase's implications can help writers use it effectively to convey both the action of delaying and the associated consequences, as suggested by Ludwig's examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued to postpone

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the postponement.

persistently deferred

Highlights the repeated act of deferring, suggesting a more formal setting.

procrastinated repeatedly

Focuses on the act of procrastination being a recurring behavior.

continued putting off

An informal alternative, stressing the avoidance aspect of delaying.

incessantly held back

Highlights the continuous holding back of something.

unremittingly stalled

Implies an ongoing effort to impede progress.

chronically deferred action

Emphasizes a habitual pattern of deferring action.

habitually delayed

Indicates a customary behavior of delaying.

repeatedly adjourned

Suggests formal meetings or proceedings being postponed multiple times.

consistently suspended

Focuses on the act of suspending something on a regular basis.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "kept delaying" in a sentence?

Consider alternatives such as "continued to postpone", "persistently deferred", or "procrastinated repeatedly" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "kept delaying" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "kept delaying" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, choosing a synonym such as "persistently deferred" might be more suitable for highly formal writing.

What does "kept delaying" imply about the situation?

"Kept delaying" implies that the postponement was not a one-time event but a recurring action. This suggests a lack of progress or a continued resistance to move forward with something.

When should I not use the phrase "kept delaying"?

Avoid using "kept delaying" when the intended meaning is active prevention or obstruction. In such cases, words like "prevented" or "blocked" are more appropriate, as they describe an active force rather than passive postponement.