postponement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "postponement" 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 postponement of the meeting was necessary due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tory MPs are rattled (Lib Dems pleased) by the postponement to 2016 of Trident's replacement.

The Guardian - Opinion

A debate has raged over whether the electoral commission is sufficiently well-prepared, with the incumbent party, which has greater access to Nigeria's dwindling petrodollars, pushing for a postponement.

The Guardian

Before the stay of execution, former US president Jimmy Carter repeated his appeal for a postponement.

The Guardian

A Eurogroup meeting on 11 May seems to be the new cut-off point, but before that Greece needs to scrape enough cash together to fulfil its imminent payments, with the International Monetary Fund on Thursday ruling out any postponement of what it is owed.

The Guardian

Their caution led to the postponement of yesterday's proposed Ulster Unionist Council meeting.

The Guardian

Rangers' game at St Johnstone was subject to a late postponement due to a section of the McDiarmid Park pitch being frozen, giving the champions extra rest ahead of next weekend's Old Firm derby.

The Guardian - Sport

Werritty relayed the Sri Lankan request that the cancellation be termed a "postponement" to his friend.

The Guardian

The teams wore black armbands here in memory of Keith Poynton, the father of the Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom, whose death in a car crash prompted the postponement of last week's opening match at Leicester.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: Opposition candidate Muhammadu Buhari wins Nigerian election First came the month-and-a-half postponement, justified on the grounds that Jonathan's government needed more time to secure the north from Boko Haram.

The Guardian

The postponement will increase tension surrounding an intense election campaign which has been conducted in the shadow of Boko Haram's brutal assaults on towns and villages of the north-east.

The Guardian

A debate has raged over whether the electoral commission is prepared enough, with the incumbent party, which has greater access to Nigeria's dwindling petrodollars, pushing for a postponement.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "postponement", clarify the reason for the delay and, if possible, provide a new expected date to maintain transparency and manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid simply announcing a "postponement" without providing a clear reason. Always specify the cause to prevent confusion and potential mistrust, especially in formal communications.

Linguistic Context

The term "postponement" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the act or state of delaying something. Ludwig AI's analysis and provided examples consistently show it used as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating the action of delaying.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "postponement" is a commonly used noun referring to the act of delaying an event or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using "postponement", it's best practice to clearly state the reason for the delay to avoid confusion. Related terms like "deferral" or "rescheduling" may be suitable alternatives depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deferral

This term is often used in formal or official contexts to indicate a temporary delay.

rescheduling

Specifically refers to changing the schedule of an event to a later time.

adjournment

Typically used in legal or formal meeting contexts to indicate a temporary suspension.

reprieve

Suggests a temporary delay or cancellation, often implying relief from a negative situation.

stay

Common in legal settings, indicating a temporary suspension of a judicial proceeding or execution.

suspension

Implies a temporary halt or interruption of an activity or process.

moratorium

Refers to a temporary prohibition or ban on a certain activity.

hiatus

Signifies a pause or break in a series or sequence of events.

cessation

Indicates a temporary or permanent ending of something.

intermission

Suggests a temporary break, often used in the context of performances or broadcasts.

FAQs

How can I use "postponement" in a sentence?

You can use "postponement" to refer to the act of delaying something. For example, "The "postponement of the meeting" was due to unforeseen circumstances".

What are some alternatives to the word "postponement"?

Alternatives include "deferral", "rescheduling", or "delay", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "postponement" and "cancellation"?

"Postponement" means an event is delayed and will happen at a later time, while "cancellation" means the event will not happen at all. Therefore, "cancellation" is a stronger and more final term.

What is the correct way to use "postponement" in formal writing?

In formal writing, ensure that the reason for the "postponement" is clearly stated and that any new arrangements are communicated promptly and professionally. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we announce the "postponement of the conference" until further notice".