postpone indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "postpone indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that an event or action will be delayed without a specific rescheduled date. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to postpone indefinitely the upcoming conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A persistent attachment to unconventional policies might, however, simply allow governments to postpone indefinitely necessary fiscal reform.

The Economist

Criticisms reached a new pitch after Mr. Hatoyama decided Tuesday to postpone indefinitely a decision on the base.

The New York Times

In 1994 the Aruban government, in conjunction with the governments of the Netherlands and the Netherlands Antilles, decided to postpone indefinitely the transition to full independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The African National Congress has reportedly decided to postpone indefinitely its meeting with the South African Government scheduled for April 11.

The New York Times

The United Nations General Assembly voted today to postpone indefinitely a special session on children, which it had scheduled for Sept. 19 to Sept. 21 in New York.

The New York Times

And, for a moment, at that gaze, I am happy to forgo my future, and postpone indefinitely the miracle hanging fire".

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Integration is postponed indefinitely.

The Economist

Parliamentary elections were postponed indefinitely in March.

The Economist

However, the project was postponed indefinitely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All exchange openings are postponed indefinitely.

The New York Times

A court case has been postponed indefinitely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "postpone indefinitely" when you want to convey that an event or decision has been delayed, and there's no specific date set for its resumption or resolution. This implies a potentially lengthy or indefinite delay.

Common error

Avoid using "postpone indefinitely" when you actually mean to cancel something. Postponement implies a possibility of future action, while cancellation means the action will not occur at all.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "postpone indefinitely" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "postpone" is the verb, and "indefinitely" acts as an adverb modifying the verb, indicating the manner and extent of the postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "postpone indefinitely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that an event or action has been delayed without a specific future date. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and formal contexts, it serves to announce or explain the deferral of plans, often due to unforeseen circumstances or lack of resolution. While alternatives exist, such as "delay indefinitely" or "suspend until further notice", the choice depends on the specific nuance one wishes to convey. When using this phrase, ensure that the action is indeed postponed rather than cancelled, and that the audience understands the potential for a lengthy delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay without setting a new date

Emphasizes the absence of a new scheduled time.

shelve for the foreseeable future

Suggests the action is unlikely to be revisited soon.

put on the back burner indefinitely

Implies lower priority and uncertain resumption.

hold in abeyance without a timeline

Formal phrasing, stressing suspension and lack of schedule.

suspend until further notice

Highlights the temporary cessation of the action.

table indefinitely

Suggests removing the item from consideration for an unspecified time.

defer to an unknown date

Emphasizes the uncertainty of when it will be addressed.

adjourn without a date

Formal and commonly used in meetings, indicating the lack of scheduling.

kick the can down the road

Suggests avoiding a decision or action, delaying indefinitely.

leave pending without resolution

Focuses on the unresolved state and indefinite continuation.

FAQs

How do you use "postpone indefinitely" in a sentence?

Use "postpone indefinitely" when an event or action is delayed without a specific date for rescheduling. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to "postpone indefinitely" the upcoming conference."

What can I say instead of "postpone indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "delay indefinitely", "suspend indefinitely", or "shelve for the foreseeable future" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "postponed indefinitely"?

Yes, "postponed indefinitely" is the past participle form and is used to describe something that has already been postponed without a specific date. For example, "The meeting has been "postponed indefinitely"."

What's the difference between "postpone indefinitely" and "cancel"?

"Postpone indefinitely" means to delay something without setting a new date, while "cancel" means to completely abandon the event or action. Postponement leaves open the possibility of rescheduling, while cancellation does not.