such a postponement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "such a postponement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific delay or deferral of an event or action that has been previously mentioned or is understood in context. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, such a postponement was necessary to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

But in fact such a postponement would constitute a return to a hallowed American tradition.

The New York Times

The government of Puerto Rico sought such a postponement, but on Thursday a federal judge declined to issue an injunction barring these exercises.

The New York Times

Such a postponement would be fine by Aham, a young Hasidic man who owns an immaculate sandwich shop in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Jerusalem.

The New York Times

But this is just one of several variables in Marx's scheme which, if they deviate sufficiently far beyond the range anticipated in his analysis, would jointly result in such a postponement even if one does not challenge the basic elements of the scheme itself – in particular, Marx's heavy reliance on the notion that labor power is the source of the exchange value of commodities.

Journal of Chinese Studies

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The Sheikh said that he had come to the villa to ask Allawi to advocate a six-month postponement of the election — such a delay, he said, would help win over Sunnis.

The New Yorker

As such it requested a postponement of an upcoming court date at which it and several companies and advocacy groups are scheduled to argue over its rollback of net neutrality.

TechCrunch

Postponement until such a high age increases the risk that offspring will learn about the nature of their conception from someone else, by accident or through increased awareness about heredity.

Human Reproduction

Unfortunately, a statistical model has not yet been developed that incorporates the uncertainty of the net benefit of the drug, such as the CI of the HR, into a postponement model.

BMJ Open

The rationale for such a step has until now been to win backing for a postponement from the public and from Mr Abe's Liberal Democratic Party, as well as from bureaucrats.

The Economist

Without such a commitment, "alternative" merely means "additional" — postponement of human catastrophe, not prevention.

The New Yorker

Only Arsenal and West Ham represented such a clash this year, until planned London Underground strikes for Wednesday forced a postponement.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "such a postponement" when you want to refer back to a specific instance of delaying something that has already been mentioned or is clear from the context. It provides a formal tone and avoids unnecessary repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "such a postponement" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "that delay" or "the delay" are more appropriate in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "such a postponement" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically referencing a particular instance of delaying something. It points to a postponement that is already known or has been previously discussed, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "such a postponement" is a determiner phrase used to refer back to a specific instance of delaying something. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable, although somewhat rare in occurrence. Its primary function is to point to a known postponement, adding clarity and avoiding repetition. While versatile, its tone is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for news, scientific writing, and professional communication. Simpler alternatives like "such a delay" may be more appropriate in informal contexts. The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

such a delay

This alternative replaces "postponement" with a more general term for a temporary suspension.

such a deferral

This alternative uses a more formal term, suggesting a deliberate act of putting something off.

such a rescheduling

This focuses on the act of planning a new time for an event.

such a suspension

This suggests a temporary halt to an activity or process.

such a continuance

This legal term refers to adjourning a court case to a later date.

such a stay

This term is used specifically for the temporary stopping of a judicial proceeding.

such a recess

This implies a break in a meeting or formal proceeding.

such a break

This provides a more informal way to describe a temporary pause.

such a hold

This describes a temporary pause or restraint.

such a freeze

This term suggests stopping progress on something, often financial.

FAQs

What does "such a postponement" mean?

The phrase "such a postponement" refers to a specific instance of delaying something. It implies that the postponement has already been mentioned or is understood within the current context.

When is it appropriate to use "such a postponement" in a sentence?

Use "such a postponement" when you want to refer back to a previously mentioned or understood delay. It's appropriate in formal writing and professional communication.

Are there any alternatives to "such a postponement"?

Yes, alternatives include "such a delay", "such a deferral", or "that postponement", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

How does "such a postponement" differ from "a postponement"?

"A postponement" refers to any instance of delaying something. "Such a postponement" refers to a specific postponement that is already known or has been mentioned previously. The use of "such" makes it definite.