procrastinate on

USAGE SUMMARY

"procrastinate on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of delaying or postponing something. For example, "I've been procrastinating on sending the report to my boss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

For political cover, the G.O.P. has set a token cut in military spending, which allows the Pentagon to procrastinate on precise details.

The New York Times

Estate planning is one of those items that people often procrastinate on.

Huffington Post

And it's yet another way to procrastinate on the Web.

The New York Times - Travel

"We find that people who are generally more likely to procrastinate on things are also more likely to procrastinate on going to bed".

The New Yorker

Should we brush aside the science and procrastinate on difficult decisions yet again?

The Guardian

It also, of course, spoke to the tendency, sometimes still in evidence, to overspend and procrastinate on big projects.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"My best trick is to play my projects off against each other, procrastinating on one by working on another".

The New York Times - Science

He's clever (Cambridge) and rich (family money), a dilettantish author who has published one book, an amateur cultural study of music, and is procrastinating on another, about mourning rituals.

The New Yorker

In one study, students who reported high levels of self-forgiveness for procrastinating on studying for an exam later procrastinated less on a second exam.

Huffington Post

The industry and aviation regulators have been procrastinating on this vital front for years.

The New York Times

The state has also procrastinated on its commitment, set out in the 1988 constitution, to demarcate larger permanent indigenous territories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "procrastinate on" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically correct, consider stronger verbs or more precise phrasings for a polished tone.

Common error

Don't overuse "procrastinate on" when a more concise verb like "delay" or "postpone" would suffice. Overcomplicating your language can weaken your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procrastinate on" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an action verb followed by a preposition. It describes the act of delaying or postponing action or attention toward a particular task or issue. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "procrastinate on" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe the act of delaying or postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while it is acceptable in various contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media. For alternatives, consider using phrases like "delay addressing" or "put off dealing with". To improve your writing, be specific about what you're delaying and consider stronger verbs for formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kick the can down the road

This idiom suggests avoiding a problem by delaying action, often leading to the problem becoming worse.

put off dealing with

Highlights the avoidance aspect of procrastination, specifically in relation to dealing with something.

postpone acting on

Emphasizes the postponement of taking action, suggesting a more deliberate decision to delay.

hold off on tackling

Suggests a temporary suspension of effort before beginning to tackle a task.

delay addressing

Focuses on delaying the act of addressing a specific issue or problem, implying a more formal or serious context.

stall progress on

Highlights that the delay affects the progress

defer working on

Implies a formal or official postponement of work, often to a specific later time.

shelve

This single-word alternative indicates putting something aside, often with the intention of revisiting it later.

table

Suggests setting something aside for discussion or action at a later date, often in a formal setting.

leave undone

Focuses on the state of not completing something, rather than the act of delaying it.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "procrastinate on"?

Yes, "procrastinate on" is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It means to delay or postpone action on something.

What does "procrastinate on" mean?

The phrase "procrastinate on" means to intentionally delay or postpone starting or completing a task, duty, or decision.

What are some alternatives to "procrastinate on"?

Alternatives include "delay addressing", "postpone acting on", or "put off dealing with", depending on the context.

How can I avoid using "procrastinate on"?

To avoid the phrase "procrastinate on", focus on actionable verbs that indicate delay. For example, instead of "procrastinate on paying bills", you could say "delay paying bills" or "postpone bill payments".