put off until later

USAGE SUMMARY

"put off until later" can be considered a valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been postponed or delayed to a later time or date. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as when discussing tasks, appointments, or events. Example: "I have too much on my plate right now, so let's put off the meeting until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's certainly better than continually building up anxiety about work you should do now but put off until later and later, as your chances of completing it grow ever slimmer, and the consequences loom ever larger.

The New Yorker

Those hearings have now been put off until later in the year, the department said in a statement.

The New York Times

A proposal to cut down on low-level marijuana arrests stemming from police stops in New York City was put off until later in the session.

The New York Times

Also, remember that when hearing aid use is put off until later years, other health issues can limit whether an individual can take advantage of the accessories used to improve listening in noise.

The New York Times

A revised Metro Rail remains on the agenda, but has been put off until later, and poor old Doncaster in the city's east, promised a suburban rail line yet again at the last election, was put on hold again.

The Guardian

At the very least, Mr. Cochran was a political embarrassment to Senator Trent Lott, the majority leader, also from Mississippi, who has signaled that he wants the legislation put off until later in the year after consultations with the new president.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It puts off until later the reckoning that our zombie politics will one day have to have.

The Guardian - Opinion

It may seem like simply putting off until later when you can pet the kitty right now, but procrasturbation is so much more than that.

Vice

It's a question that comes to mind as I read the analysis over at the New York Times of yet another wayward American trend, the much-discussed phenom/social shift of putting off until later -- often much, much later -- what previous generations barely put off much past high school graduation.

Huffington Post

The Parliament put off until later this weekend a vote on a crucial new proposal that would confiscate 22 to 25 percent of uninsured deposits above 100,000 euros through a new tax on account holders in one of the nation's most troubled banks.

The New York Times

The Parliament put off until later this weekend a vote on a crucial new proposal that would confiscate 22 to 25 percent of uninsured deposits above €100,000 through a new tax on account holders in one of the nation's most troubled banks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the implications of delaying tasks. While it might provide temporary relief, recognize that postponing important work can increase anxiety and potentially worsen outcomes.

Common error

Be mindful of overuse. While common, relying too heavily on "put off until later" can make your writing sound passive or indecisive. Try incorporating synonyms like "postpone" or "delay" for variety and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put off until later" functions as a phrasal verb indicating postponement or delay. It's used to express that an action or event is not happening immediately but will be addressed at a subsequent time. Ludwig AI confirms its typical usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put off until later" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the postponement of a task or event. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's generally acceptable for use in various writing contexts. While common, one should avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "postpone" or "delay" for greater precision and stylistic variation. Its neutral register makes it suitable for news, general writing, and even casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay until a future time

Replaces the phrasal verb "put off" with a more formal verb "delay" and specifies "a future time" instead of "later".

postpone to a later date

Uses "postpone" as a direct synonym for "put off" and "a later date" for "later", offering a slightly more formal tone.

reschedule for the future

Emphasizes the act of rescheduling rather than simply delaying, implying a new appointment is being made.

defer until a more convenient time

Suggests the delay is due to convenience, adding a reason for the postponement.

hold over until later

Similar to "put off", but with a nuance of temporarily suspending something.

table for future consideration

A more formal and often bureaucratic way of saying something is being delayed, typically used in meetings.

shelve for the time being

Implies the item may not be returned to soon, with a sense of indefinite postponement.

suspend until further notice

Suggests a temporary halt with an uncertain resumption.

adjourn to a later session

Primarily used in formal settings like courts or legislative bodies, indicating a break until a later meeting.

remand for future action

Often used in legal contexts, implying the matter is sent back for future decision or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "put off until later" to indicate that something is being postponed or delayed to a future time. For example, "Let's "put off until later" the discussion about budget cuts since we have other urgent matters to address."

What are some alternatives to "put off until later"?

Some alternatives to "put off until later" include "postpone", "delay", or "reschedule". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to "put off until later" or do it now?

That depends on the specific task and your priorities. While some tasks can be effectively "put off until later" without negative consequences, others may be best addressed immediately to avoid increased stress or missed deadlines.

What is the difference between "put off until later" and procrastinate?

"Put off until later" is a general term for delaying something. Procrastinate, on the other hand, implies habitual or unnecessary delay, often due to avoidance or a lack of motivation. It carries a more negative connotation.