we have to delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we have to delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something must be postponed or pushed back in time. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to delay the meeting until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

If we have to delay it, we will".

The New York Times

"I guess the only question is whether we feel that we have to delay sending our own students there".

The New York Times

We have to delay democracy in order to save it from those who would use it to kill it, the intelligentsia say.

The New York Times

"We feel bad we have to delay our tour, so to make up for it we want to give our fans the music earlier than we had planned," the drummer, Tré Cool, said in the statement.

The New York Times

If we have to delay the team announcement, we will do".

BBC

In practice, we have to delay the matched filter by 2T (or one sample in discrete domain) to obtain a causal filter, which following [1] we ignore here.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Our bus broke down, and we had to delay the game an hour.

The New York Times

"We became demotivated us to the point where we had to delay everything we were working on for months," he says.

The Guardian - Tech

"We've got the money now but we had to delay buying the ring last year as the recession affected our personal finances," she said.

The Guardian - Business

He remembers that with Anya Reiss: "We had to delay production because of her A-levels – that was quite an intervention".

The Guardian

In fact, we had to delay our trip for two weeks due to multiple suicide bombings and riots inside the area controlled by Mogadishu's transitional government (TFG).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we have to delay", clearly state the reason for the delay and provide a revised timeline, if possible. This maintains transparency and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we have to delay" without providing a reason. This can lead to frustration and mistrust. Always offer a brief explanation for the postponement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we have to delay" functions as a declarative statement expressing the necessity of postponing something. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts like delaying a tour or a team announcement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we have to delay" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the necessity of postponing an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news, scientific, and academic sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: provide a reason for the delay and, if possible, a new timeline to maintain transparency. Alternatives like "we must postpone" or "we need to reschedule" can offer nuanced ways to convey the same message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we must postpone

Indicates a required deferment; stronger emphasis on obligation.

we need to reschedule

Focuses on the act of changing the schedule to a later time.

we are obliged to postpone

Emphasizes the obligation or necessity of postponing.

it is necessary for us to defer

Formal and emphasizes the necessity of delaying.

we are forced to put off

Highlights the lack of choice in delaying.

we will have to adjourn

Suggests a temporary suspension, often used in formal settings.

we are going to hold off on

Indicates a decision to temporarily refrain from something.

we should put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension or pause.

we intend to hold back

Implies a conscious decision to restrain or delay progress.

we are compelled to table

More formal; suggests setting aside a matter for later discussion.

FAQs

What does "we have to delay" mean?

The phrase "we have to delay" means that something planned or scheduled must be postponed or rescheduled to a later time.

What can I say instead of "we have to delay"?

You can use alternatives like "we must postpone", "we need to reschedule", or "we are obliged to postpone depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we have to delay"?

Yes, "we have to delay" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English to indicate a postponement.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "we have to delay"?

It is appropriate to use "we have to delay" when communicating that an event, project, or action will be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, scheduling conflicts, or other reasons.