procrastination

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "procrastination" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of delaying or postponing tasks or responsibilities, often unnecessarily. Example: "His procrastination led to a last-minute rush to complete the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Self-discipline lends itself well to academic focus, helping to banish procrastination.

The Guardian

This blog, which I have every intention of publishing every two weeks (lest it perish), is my attempt to collate some of this oddity for your Friday procrastination and amusement.

The Guardian

With the pressure and stress of having so much to do, avoiding procrastination and getting work done efficiently can be more difficult than it seems.

The Guardian

However, my to-do list is relatively short, as I get things done rather than leaving things hanging – as the poet Edward Young once said, procrastination is the thief of time.

The Guardian

This is impossible for us as Palestinians to accept that … the process of procrastination and stalling continues".

The Guardian

Now, her days are a combination of "frenzied work" and "procrastination".

The Guardian

The government now says non-committally that it is "looking into the idea"—procrastination that is probably wise, given the administrative headaches that such a scheme would cause and the strength of the opposition to it in the Treasury.Yet despite the anger, the economic consequences of expensive fuel might not be as dire as is often assumed.

The Economist

Embarrassingly for Mr Blair, social mobility has declined under his government.The government's approach so far has been a mixture of procrastination, gimmickry and extravagance, setting up, for example, privately sponsored schools in glitzy new buildings, in the hope of improving the state system's image.

The Economist

THE procrastination would impress the idlest of students.

The Economist

That would be wrongScience: Future, imperfect and tense Do you have trouble with procrastination?

The Economist

Mahathir, closet westerner The politics of procrastination Talking back Megamuddle The communists attack Japan's unruly classrooms ReprintsMeanwhile, the territory and its Kanaks stand to do well from a further 15 years of French spending: more schools, more housing, more television sets.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic or professional settings, use "procrastination" to accurately describe the act of delaying tasks. It's suitable for formal writing and carries a slightly negative connotation.

Common error

While "procrastination" is widely understood, opt for simpler terms like "putting things off" in casual conversations. Overusing formal vocabulary can make your language sound unnatural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "procrastination" is as a noun. It refers to the act of delaying or postponing tasks. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is widely accepted in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

31%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "procrastination" is a common noun describing the act of delaying tasks. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and widely used. Its formality is neutral, fitting various contexts from news and media to formal business and academic writing. While alternatives exist, "procrastination" offers precision and is suitable when a slightly critical or analytical tone is appropriate. When using "procrastination", consider the specific context and audience to ensure your language resonates effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponement

A direct synonym, emphasizing the act of rescheduling to a later time.

putting things off

A more casual and common way to describe procrastination.

avoidance

Highlights the act of evading or sidestepping a task or responsibility.

delaying tactics

Focuses on the intentional methods used to postpone something.

stall tactics

Emphasizes the use of delays as a strategy, often in negotiations or debates.

deferral

A more formal term for postponing or delaying.

hesitation

Highlights a pause or reluctance before acting, leading to delays.

shilly-shallying

Implies indecisiveness and hesitation, leading to delays.

indecision

Focuses on the inability to make a decision, resulting in inaction and delay.

lack of initiative

Describes a failure to start or pursue tasks, resulting in inaction.

FAQs

How can I use "procrastination" in a sentence?

"Procrastination" is typically used as a noun to describe the act of delaying tasks. For example, "His "procrastination" led to a last-minute rush to complete the project."

What are some alternatives to "procrastination"?

You can use alternatives like "putting things off", "delaying tactics", or "postponement" depending on the context.

Is "procrastination" formal or informal?

"Procrastination" is considered a more formal term. In informal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "putting off tasks" or "delaying things".

What's the difference between "procrastination" and "laziness"?

"Procrastination" specifically refers to delaying tasks, often with the intention of doing them later. "Laziness", on the other hand, implies a general unwillingness to work or exert effort. They are related but not interchangeable.