postpone for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "postpone for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something will be delayed or rescheduled for a temporary period. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will need to postpone for a while our meeting about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The final lobby restoration, using money from a $96 million capital campaign that has raised $53.5 million so far, has been postponed for a while, Ms. Procope said.

The New York Times - Arts

Still, that career in comedy we're hoping for may be postponed for a while.

Los Angeles Times

A sale of Psaier's works that Nicholson had originally scheduled for September 17 has been postponed for a week, while the auctioneer scrambles to secure proof of the artist's existence.

The New Yorker

If lower values occurred on the initial day of each cycle, chemotherapy was postponed for a week, while doses were omitted if they did occur on day 8 or 15.

British Journal of Cancer

"I have been vaguely approached," she said, "but most people have had the thoughtfulness to postpone asking for a while".

The New Yorker

"He understood that sometimes it's necessary to clarify the rules — make sure everyone understands; postpone discipline for a while, not forever, but maybe for a season; and then enforce the rules with strict discipline," Tagliabue wrote.

The New York Times - Sports

He said, 'You can have the town council room.' I said, 'Where are you going to have council meetings?' He said, 'Well, we'll postpone them for a while.' The ladies would bring us lunch.

The New York Times - Books

He decided to postpone school for a while... save some more money.

Huffington Post

The event, which cost £53.50 a ticket, was postponed for a further week while technical problems with the location were ironed out.

Independent

These new rates also still had to be ratified by the CACM Duty Council, and this appears to have been postponed for a substantial period while countries grappled with the implications of a further tariff rise for their commitments under GATT.

Globalization and Health

We argue that a diagnostic workup targeted at anxiety disorder can be postponed for a few weeks while monitoring the effect of non-specific interventions (e.g., reassurance, encouragement, advice) and the passage of time.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "postpone for a while" when you need to convey a temporary delay, without specifying a precise timeframe. It's suitable when the exact duration of the delay is uncertain or not important.

Common error

While "postpone for a while" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it excessively in formal or business communications where a more specific timeframe might be expected. Consider using alternatives like "defer until Q3" or "reschedule for the week of October 21st" for greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "postpone for a while" functions as a verb phrase indicating a temporary deferment. It specifies that an action or event is being delayed, but not indefinitely. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is commonly used to convey a temporary delay without specifying a precise timeframe.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "postpone for a while" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a temporary delay or rescheduling. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts but remember to use it with discretion. It serves the purpose of informing about a change in plans without specifying a precise timeframe. While generally neutral in register, be mindful of the context, especially in formal settings where more specific alternatives may be preferred. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the delay.

put off briefly

Emphasizes the short duration of the postponement.

suspend for the moment

Suggests a more formal or official suspension.

defer for a period

A more formal way of saying postpone.

hold off for now

Indicates a temporary cessation of activity.

reschedule later

Focuses on the action of rescheduling to a later time.

shelve temporarily

Implies putting something aside, possibly with less certainty of resumption.

table for the time being

Suggests formally setting aside an issue for later discussion.

adjourn for a short time

A more formal term, often used in meetings or legal contexts.

take a rain check

An idiomatic expression implying the postponement of an invitation or arrangement.

FAQs

What does "postpone for a while" mean?

The phrase "postpone for a while" means to delay something for an unspecified, but presumably limited, amount of time.

How can I use "postpone for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "postpone for a while" when you need to indicate that something will be delayed for a temporary period. For example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will need to postpone for a while our meeting about the project".

What can I say instead of "postpone for a while"?

You can use alternatives like "delay temporarily", "put off briefly" or "defer for a period" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "delay" or "postpone for a while"?

"Delay" is a more direct and general term, while "postpone for a while" implies a temporary rescheduling with the intention of resuming later. The best choice depends on the specific context.