procrastinating about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procrastinating about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of delaying or postponing tasks or decisions regarding a specific subject or activity. Example: "I've been procrastinating about starting my research paper for weeks now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Some of the comments from Facebook users included: "I have been procrastinating about getting a concealed carry permit.

The New York Times

"The good stuff" is abundant in "Goon Squad," which was written at a time when Ms. Egan was "procrastinating about writing a different book," she said.

The New York Times

Later, he sent an e-mail message to say he had done something he had been procrastinating about: post his salary on his own Web site.

The New York Times

Valentine's Day is less than a week away, and if you've been procrastinating about making plans, you might try one of the 12 romantic restaurants below.

The New York Times - Arts

EU countries have spent all year debating and procrastinating about an appropriate solution to Europe's biggest refugee movement since the second world war.

The Guardian

If you're procrastinating about making plans for New Year's Eve because of costly prix fixe menus and special seatings, there's still time to reserve a table at these restaurants, which are open for business as usual.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

So pick a school.' And Marty said, 'Well, Ross, you know, in our religion you don't name things after people till they die.' " Marty and Ruth procrastinated about deciding where Perot should fund the chair.

The New Yorker

"At those rare times when you have actually done the thing which you have procrastinated about, there is a feeling of relief — a good feeling, to get that thing done so you don't have to worry about it anymore," Neben wrote.

BBC

Mr. Wasserman procrastinated about calling her.

The New York Times - Style

(Spouse hogs home computer. Spouse procrastinates about cleaning guest bedroom).

The New Yorker

The couple lived together for nearly three years, while Arlen procrastinated about marriage.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "procrastinating about" when you want to emphasize delaying something specific rather than simply delaying in general. For example: "I'm procrastinating about writing my thesis proposal" is more direct than "I'm procrastinating."

Common error

While "procrastinating about" is versatile, it can sound awkward with very abstract nouns. For example, instead of "procrastinating about life", consider more direct alternatives like "delaying living fully" or "postponing important life decisions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "procrastinating about" functions as a phrasal verb, where "procrastinating" is the verb in its present participle form and "about" is a preposition. It modifies the verb, specifying the object or subject that is being delayed. Ludwig AI states it is usable in written English and correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "procrastinating about" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe delaying action on a specific task or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While widely accepted, considering context-specific alternatives such as "delaying action on" or "putting off dealing with" can enhance precision. As demonstrated by Ludwig, this phrase appears frequently in news, scientific publications, and business communication, indicating its broad applicability and neutral register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

putting off dealing with

Highlights the avoidance of dealing with something directly.

delaying action on

Focuses on the delay of taking action, emphasizing the inaction.

postponing consideration of

Emphasizes a delay in thinking or deciding about something.

stalling progress on

Highlights the slowing down or stopping of advancement.

deferring attention to

Suggests a temporary redirection of focus away from the subject.

hesitating to address

Indicates a reluctance or pause before tackling a particular issue.

prolonging the decision on

Focuses on extending the time before a decision is made.

evading engagement with

Emphasizes the avoidance of direct involvement or interaction.

taking a raincheck on

Suggests a postponement to a later, unspecified time.

shirking responsibility for

Highlights the avoidance of duty or accountability.

FAQs

What does "procrastinating about" mean?

The phrase "procrastinating about" means delaying or postponing action on something specific. It indicates that you are putting off dealing with a particular task, decision, or issue. For example, "I'm procrastinating about cleaning the house" means you are delaying cleaning the house.

What can I say instead of "procrastinating about"?

You can use alternatives like "delaying action on", "putting off dealing with", or "postponing consideration of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "procrastinating on" instead of "procrastinating about"?

While "procrastinating on" is sometimes used, "procrastinating about" is generally considered more grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's more precise in specifying what you are delaying.

How can I use "procrastinating about" in a sentence?

You can use "procrastinating about" in a sentence like this: "She's procrastinating about applying for colleges because she feels overwhelmed by the application process." Another example: "He admitted he was procrastinating about finishing the report."