Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

let's not delay
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Let's not delay anymore," Representative Howard P. McKeon, the California Republican who is chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said before the measure passed.

News & Media

The New York Times

Come on, Mr. Obama, let's not delay that process.

News & Media

The New York Times

Let's not delay any further.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And then, let's not overlook the RioBend logo on DeLay's shirt promoting the dancer's evangelical enterprise to reengineer foster care.

News & Media

Huffington Post

But let's not quibble.

Academia

Stanford University

Let's not be mistaken !

Academia

Harvard University

First, let's end the delays and get started.

News & Media

The New York Times

To the Editor: Let's not confuse prevention, risk reduction and delay of onset.

News & Media

The New York Times

This wasn't delayed grief, after all.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"It's not a delaying tactic.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

That's not an inordinate delay".

News & Media

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

The phrase is particularly effective in transition sentences where you move from a problem description to a proposed solution.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly say "let's not delayed" when they intend to refer to a future action. Always use the base form of the verb after the contraction "let's".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

This is a cohortative imperative phrase that functions as a collective command or proposal. By using the contraction "let's" (let us) followed by the negation "not" and the base verb "delay", the speaker includes themselves in the suggested action. Ludwig examples show this is frequently used to initiate a process or transition between discussion points.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

Wiki

Social Media

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "let's not delay" is a precise and motivating phrase used to spur immediate action. While categorized as Rare in terms of exact string matching in the Ludwig database, its presence in high-quality sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability. It bridges the gap between informal speech and professional rhetoric, making it an excellent choice for writers who wish to project both decisiveness and a collaborative spirit. Whether in academic papers or news editorials, it remains a standard and correct way to signal that the time for waiting has ended.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

let us not delay

Full form of the contraction, used for increased formality or emphasis.

let's not wait

More informal and common in everyday speech.

let's avoid further delay

Focuses on preventing additional pauses that have already occurred.

let us proceed without delay

Highly formal and typical of institutional or diplomatic language.

without further delay

A prepositional phrase often used as an adverbial modifier.

let's not procrastinate

More specific to avoiding habitual or lazy postponement.

let's get started

Focuses on the commencement of the action rather than the avoidance of a pause.

let's act now

Stronger emphasis on immediate physical or decisive action.

let's move forward

Suggests progress and positive momentum.

no time to lose

An idiomatic expression emphasizing extreme urgency.

FAQs

How to use "let's not delay" in a sentence?

You can use it as a standalone imperative or as part of a larger sentence, for example: "let's not delay any further" or "let's not delay the inevitable".

What can I say instead of "let's not delay"?

Depending on the context, you can use "let's not wait", "without further delay" or "let's get started".

Is "let's not delay" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to professional. While the contraction "let's" is informal, the word "delay" adds a layer of seriousness. In very formal writing, use "let us not delay".

What's the difference between "let's not delay" and "let's not wait"?

The phrase "let's not delay" often implies a more formal or administrative process is being held up, whereas "let's not wait" is more common in general conversation regarding time.

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Continue with Googlefor free

Continue with emailfor free

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

94%

Authority and reliability

4.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

1-200 1k 2k 3k 4k 5k 7k 10k 20k 40k 100k 200k 500k 0m-3 0m-4 1m-1 1m-2 1m-3 1m-4

let's not delayGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

let's not delay
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples