procrastinated on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procrastinated on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing tasks or responsibilities that someone has delayed or postponed. Example: "I procrastinated on my homework until the last minute, which made me feel stressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

But the commission also procrastinated on two of best ways to tackle the dual climate-economy problem: energy efficiency and the EU's trading scheme for carbon pollution permits.

The Guardian

He so procrastinated on a church project in Parma — for eight years — that he was jailed for breach of contract; he escaped and passed his final year, in disgrace, in a town in Lombardy.

The New Yorker

He never dyed the canal (though in the riotous year of 1968, someone else dyed it a bright green as a protest against capitalism) and he procrastinated on the written report he had promised.

The New York Times

Have you procrastinated on starting a budget?

Huffington Post

SIgn up now trygetothe best of VICE Canada delivered straight to your inbox.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 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

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

The New York Times - Science

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

Huffington Post

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procrastinated on" when you want to express that a task or responsibility was delayed or postponed. It implies a period of avoidance before eventual action or realization.

Common error

While "procrastinated on" and "delayed" both imply postponement, "procrastinated on" specifically suggests a period of intentional avoidance, often due to a lack of motivation or dislike for the task. "Delayed" is a more neutral term, simply indicating that something was put off, possibly due to external factors. Use "procrastinated on" when the avoidance is self-imposed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procrastinated on" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of delaying or postponing a task or duty. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

Vice

10%

Less common in

Wikipedia

3%

BMC Infectious Diseases

3%

TechCrunch

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "procrastinated on" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe the act of delaying or postponing a task. Ludwig indicates its acceptance and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. While it is not as common as other alternatives like "delayed" or "put off", "procrastinated on" specifically emphasizes a period of intentional avoidance, often due to a lack of motivation or dislike for the task. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news, media, and personal narratives. Remember to use it when the delay is self-imposed, distinguishing it from a neutral delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed working on

Focuses specifically on delaying the act of working on something, maintaining a similar level of formality.

postponed dealing with

Emphasizes the act of postponing the handling of a task, suggesting a slightly more formal tone.

put off addressing

Highlights the act of delaying the process of addressing a task or issue, maintaining a casual tone.

held off on

Indicates a temporary suspension or delay, suggesting a slightly more informal approach.

deferred action on

A more formal way of saying delayed action, suited for professional contexts.

tabled consideration of

Suggests putting something aside for a later discussion or decision, more formal.

left undone

Implies that something was not completed, shifting focus to the state of incompletion.

neglected to complete

Highlights the act of failing to complete something, suggesting a stronger sense of oversight.

prolonged avoidance of

Emphasizes the extended duration of avoiding a task, adding a critical tone.

shirked responsibility for

Accentuates the evasion of responsibility, adding a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "procrastinated on" in a sentence?

You can use "procrastinated on" to describe delaying or postponing a task. For example, "I "procrastinated on" writing the report until the last minute".

What are some alternatives to saying "procrastinated on"?

Alternatives include "delayed working on", "postponed dealing with", or "put off addressing", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "procrastinated in" instead of "procrastinated on"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "procrastinated" in this context is "on". "Procrastinated in" is not standard English.

What is the difference between "procrastinated on" and "put off"?

"Procrastinated on" emphasizes the act of intentionally delaying a task, often due to a lack of motivation. "Put off" is more general and simply means to postpone something, without necessarily implying the same level of intentional avoidance.