should be postponed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'should be postponed' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are suggesting that an event, task, or other activity should be delayed until a later date or time. For example: "The meeting should be postponed until tomorrow due to the weather conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If he is medically unfit, the trial should be postponed.

The Economist

Time-consuming negotiations with the UK should be postponed".

Independent

The re-election of Fifa's president should be postponed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Valcke rejected suggestions that the election should be postponed.

The Guardian - Sport

Political leaders have condemned the police violence, but disagree about whether the elections should be postponed.

The Economist

It should be postponed, since the electorate is compromised and candidates are consumed by mistrust.

Independent

Elections set for January should be postponed and genuine political parties allowed to participate.

The New York Times

They say it should be postponed for at least a year.

The New York Times

The change should be postponed and then reviewed as part of the forthcoming fees review".

The Guardian

The State Department has recommended that nonessential travel to those areas should be postponed.

The New York Times

There is no consensus that taking antibiotics should be postponed until after testing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be postponed", clearly state the reason for the postponement to provide context and avoid confusion. For example, "The meeting should be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances."

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive constructions like "should be postponed" when an active voice would be more direct and engaging. For example, instead of "The decision should be postponed", consider "The committee should postpone the decision."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be postponed" functions as a modal passive construction, indicating a recommendation or necessity for delaying an event or action. Ludwig shows that it's often used to suggest a delay due to specific circumstances or considerations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

34%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "should be postponed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for recommending or suggesting the deferral of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide a clear reason for the suggested postponement and to avoid overuse of passive voice for more direct communication. Alternatives like "ought to be delayed", "needs to be rescheduled", and "must be deferred" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be delayed

Replaces "should" with "ought to", maintaining a similar level of obligation or advisability while substituting "postponed" with the synonym "delayed".

needs to be rescheduled

Focuses on the necessity of changing the schedule, implying a postponement and re-planning.

must be deferred

Uses "must" to indicate a stronger sense of obligation and replaces "postponed" with "deferred", suggesting a temporary delay.

has to be put off

Employs a more informal tone, using "put off" as a phrasal verb synonymous with postponing.

should be adjourned

Replaces "postponed" with "adjourned", which often applies to formal meetings or legal proceedings.

is advised to be put back

Suggests a recommendation rather than a requirement, using "put back" as an alternative to postponing.

it is best to reschedule

Shifts the focus to highlighting the optimal action, which is to reschedule.

it would be better to delay

Uses a conditional structure to suggest that delaying is the preferred course of action.

it's recommended to hold off on

Advises against immediate action, suggesting a temporary suspension with the phrasal verb "hold off on".

consider delaying

Introduces an element of contemplation or suggestion, inviting consideration of a delay.

FAQs

How can I use "should be postponed" in a sentence?

Use "should be postponed" to suggest that an event or action be delayed to a later time. For example, "The vote "should be postponed" until all members are present".

What are some alternatives to "should be postponed"?

Alternatives include "ought to be delayed", "needs to be rescheduled", or "must be deferred". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "should be postponed" formal or informal?

"Should be postponed" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "must be deferred" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "should be postponed" and "should be cancelled"?

"Should be postponed" implies that the event will happen at a later date, while "should be cancelled" suggests that the event will not happen at all. The decision depends on whether the event is still desired or no longer necessary.