postponed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "postponed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of delaying or rescheduling an event or action to a later time. Example: "The meeting has been postponed until next week due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The vote is expected at around 5pm UK time but a planned press conference with the winner has been postponed until Saturday morning.

The Guardian - Sport

In retrospect it looks like a necessary argument postponed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Results: Zaragoza 3-1 Osasuna, Celta 2-1 Getafe, Betis 1-0 Espanyol Barcelona 2-0 Granada, Mallorca 2-0 VaLevante Levante 2-1 Real Sociedad, Atlético 2-1 VAthleticd, Athletic 0-0 Málaga, Rayo-Real Madrid, postponed.

The Guardian - Sport

This week's talks, both with Tasoulas and prime minister Antonis Samaras on Wednesday, were meant to have taken place in early September but were postponed when it was unexpectedly announced that Alamuddin and George Clooney, the world's most sought after bachelor, were to be married.

The Guardian - Arts

Egypt's state media reported that judges then postponed the trial until 22 February to allow lawyers time to review the case's files.

The Guardian

Field events at Hampden Park were postponed, runners sloshed through puddles on the track, while the men's and women's road races resembled four-hour training sessions in a carwash.

The Guardian - Sport

However, on that day a judge postponed the review until 23 April.

The Guardian - Opinion

In truth that's a decision that never looked likely to be postponed much beyond Johnson's poor start in DC, and Wondo's goal against Mexico in the last friendly.

The Guardian - Sport

The case was postponed after the prosecution sought to move it to a higher court.

The Guardian

Her family had postponed the service while they battled for their Zimbabwean relatives to gain visas to attend but began planning their daughter's funeral after learning earlier this month that the UK government would allow her maternal grandparents and aunt to travel over from Africa.

The Guardian

There had been some speculation that a critical debate on welfare reform would be postponed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "postponed", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being delayed and, if known, the reason for the delay. For example: "The meeting was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances".

Common error

Avoid using "postponed" when you mean something will never happen. Use "cancelled" instead. "Postponed" implies a delay, not a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The word "postponed" functions primarily as a past participle, often used adjectivally to describe something that has been delayed or as part of a passive verb construction. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "postponed" is a very common past participle used to indicate that something has been delayed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media. When using "postponed", it's crucial to ensure that the context implies a delay rather than a complete cancellation, which would require the use of "cancelled". Related terms like "delayed", "rescheduled", and "deferred" offer nuanced alternatives to express the concept of postponement. Remember to provide clear context as to what has been "postponed" and, if possible, the reason for the delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed

This alternative is a more general term for something being put off until a later time.

rescheduled

This term specifies that a new time has been set for the event.

deferred

This alternative suggests a more formal or indefinite postponement.

put off

This is a more informal way of saying "postponed".

adjourned

This term is typically used in legal or formal settings.

held over

This implies that something is kept for consideration at a later time.

tabled

Often used in parliamentary or meeting contexts, meaning to postpone discussion.

shelved

This indicates that something has been put aside, possibly indefinitely.

suspended

This implies a temporary cessation of something.

put on hold

This suggests a temporary delay, often for further consideration.

FAQs

What does "postponed" mean?

"Postponed" means to delay an event or activity until a later time or date.

How to use "postponed" in a sentence?

You can use "postponed" in a sentence like: "The concert was "postponed" due to the weather conditions."

What can I say instead of "postponed"?

You can use alternatives like "delayed", "rescheduled", or "deferred" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "postponed" and "cancelled"?

"Postponed" means that something is delayed to a later time, while "cancelled" means that something will not happen at all.