to delay it further

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to delay it further" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the postponement of an event, action, or decision beyond its current timeline. Example: "We cannot afford to delay it further; we need to make a decision by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Now that the topic had been raised, however, nobody wanted to delay it further.

The New York Times

If war can be averted until then, Kashmir's early snows will be likely to delay it further, making both infiltration and military action difficult and unlikely.

The New York Times

I can see that it is a large sized download, and may take a long time, so that may make me want to delay it further.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Legal experts said that a verdict in his bribery trial was still at least many months away and that he might find new ways to delay it even further.

The New York Times

By delaying the rule, White gave Republican lawmakers an opportunity to delay it even further by including language in must-pass government funding bills to put off the disclosures.

Huffington Post

Then the commission planned to vote on the proposal in September, but delayed it to further bolster the cost-benefit section of the rule.

The New York Times

Today the House Ways and Means Committee will indicate whether it plans to delay approval further.

The New York Times

"It's easy to delay making further pension contributions, especially if you have short-term priorities, such as saving for a new property," he says.

Independent

It is "not in their interest to delay any further," he said.

The New York Times

But the government can ill-afford to delay the census further: If it cannot ground its policies in accurate census data, the country's bleak human indicators will only worsen, particularly in overcrowded cities.

The New York Times

The ČSSD says it wants to delay or block further austerity measures.But the real picture is more complicated.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to delay it further", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the reason for the postponement and the impact it has on related activities. Be specific about the anticipated new timeline or the conditions that need to be met before the task can proceed.

Common error

Avoid using "to delay it further" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is responsible for the delay. Instead of saying "The decision is to be delayed it further," try "We will delay the decision further" to improve clarity and accountability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to delay it further" functions as an infinitive phrase that indicates the purpose or consequence of an action. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from fashion to politics.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to delay it further" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating the act of postponing something beyond its current schedule. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific domains. While relatively straightforward, it's essential to consider the specific reasons for the delay and the impact it may have. Alternatives like "to postpone it further" or "to defer it further" can offer nuances in meaning. Avoid passive constructions to ensure clarity and accountability in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to postpone it further

Replaces "delay" with "postpone", indicating a more formal or indefinite rescheduling.

to defer it further

Uses "defer" to suggest a temporary suspension, often for a specific reason.

to put it off even longer

Emphasizes the act of avoiding or procrastinating on the task.

to extend the delay

Focuses on the duration of the delay, suggesting a continuation of an existing postponement.

to prolong its postponement

Highlights the act of making the postponement last longer, adding a layer of complexity to the initial delay.

to protract the delay further

Uses "protract" to indicate a deliberate lengthening of the delay, often implying a strategic reason.

to draw out its delay

Suggests a gradual and perhaps unintentional lengthening of the delay.

to push it back again

Implies a previous rescheduling, making this a repeated act of postponement.

to hold it off for longer

Conveys a sense of resistance or opposition to proceeding with the task.

to suspend it indefinitely

Indicates an uncertain or potentially permanent cessation of the task.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "to delay it further"?

Alternatives include "to postpone it further", "to defer it further", or "to put it off even longer", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it grammatically correct to say "to delay it further"?

Yes, "to delay it further" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules and is commonly used in various contexts.

What's the difference between "to delay it further" and "to postpone it further"?

While both phrases mean to put something off, "to delay it further" generally implies a temporary pause, whereas "to postpone it further" can suggest a more indefinite rescheduling.

When is it appropriate to use "to delay it further" in writing?

Use "to delay it further" when you want to express that something is being postponed beyond its current schedule, often due to unforeseen circumstances or strategic considerations. For example: "We cannot afford "to delay it further"; we need to act now".