put off

USAGE SUMMARY

'put off' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean to delay or postpone something. For example, "We decided to put off the meeting until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We put off swimming.

The New Yorker

be put off.

The New Yorker

I'm not put off.

The New York Times

Pantone was not put off.

The New York Times

Mr. Nirenberg was put off.

The New York Times

(And don't be put off).

The New York Times

Put off by them?

The New York Times

• Put off opening bills?

The Guardian - Money

Clinton wasn't put off.

The New Yorker

He'd put off starting.

The New York Times - Arts

Immediately, I'm put off.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put off" in the context of delaying an event, be clear about the reason for the delay and, if possible, provide a new timeframe or date.

Common error

Avoid using "put off" interchangeably with phrasal verbs like "call off" or "cancel". "Put off" implies a delay, while "call off" means to completely abandon the event or plan.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "put off" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring an object. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It indicates the action of postponing or delaying something, as seen in the example "We put off swimming."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "put off" is a versatile expression, primarily used to denote the act of postponing or delaying something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. It also has the meaning of causing someone to dislike something. Examples extracted by Ludwig show usage in various contexts, from news reporting to everyday conversation. When you intend to indicate a delay, using "put off" is a suitable option, but it's vital to be mindful of its other meaning related to causing aversion or dislike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone

A formal synonym indicating a decision to delay an event or activity.

delay

A general term for causing something to happen at a later time than originally planned.

defer

Suggests a more formal or official postponement, often to a specific later date.

reschedule

Implies setting a new time for an event that was previously canceled or postponed.

adjourn

Typically used in formal contexts to postpone a meeting or session.

set back

To delay the progress of something.

hold over

Suggests temporarily delaying a decision or action.

table

To postpone or suspend consideration of something.

discourage

Focuses on deterring someone from doing something, rather than delaying an event.

dissuade

Similar to discourage, but implies actively persuading someone not to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "put off" in a sentence?

You can use "put off" to mean to postpone or delay something. For example, "We had to put off the meeting due to unforeseen circumstances."

What does "put off" mean?

The phrasal verb "put off" has multiple meanings, including to postpone or delay, and to cause someone to dislike something or someone. The intended meaning is usually clear from the context.

What can I say instead of "put off"?

You can use alternatives such as "postpone", "delay", or "defer" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put off" or "put off of"?

The correct phrase is "put off". The inclusion of "of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.