we must delay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we must delay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the need to postpone or defer an action or event. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we must delay the meeting until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Unfortunately, however, because this has not be done, the familiar arguments for business-as-usual based on energy security and price challenges are once more trotted out as reasons why we must delay the inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The FCC must delay its vote until we get to the bottom of this massive fraud: https://t.co/X3ECXwh06y pic.twitter.com/PuNrqErWCw.

Huffington Post

Others must delay reconstruction for six to nine months.

The New York Times - Health

During the day, the site must delay its headlines by a full two hours.

The New York Times

Barr Laboratories must delay introducing its own version of AstraZeneca's Tamoxifen cancer drug, the Food and Drug Administration said today.

The New York Times

This reinforces our belief that the [Bank of England's] Monetary Policy Committee must delay raising interest rates until well into 2015.

The Guardian - Business

BY now, you may have accepted, with grim reluctance, that you must delay taking your retirement benefits.

The New York Times

Many people with 401 k)s have seen their expected retirement income fall, and some older workers must delay retirement.

The Economist

Three leading figures in the probation service have warned the justice secretary, Chris Grayling, he must delay his probation service privatisation plan for at least six months or face inevitable protection failures and risks to public safety, the Guardian has learned.

The Guardian

Spotify is now saying that they must delay their U.S. launch.

TechCrunch

On one hand, coatings must delay and control the degradation process of the bare alloy and, on the other hand, they must be functional and biocompatible.

Electrochimica Acta

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must delay", ensure the reason for the delay is clear to the audience to avoid confusion or frustration. Providing context enhances understanding and cooperation.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to explain why the delay is necessary. Always provide a brief explanation to maintain transparency and trust. Without it, the phrase "we must delay" can sound arbitrary and create resistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must delay" functions as an expression of necessity or obligation regarding a postponement. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we must delay" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate the necessity of postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively rare in occurrence, it effectively communicates a required postponement and is often found in news, science, and formal business contexts. To ensure clarity, always provide context when using this phrase. Alternatives like "we need to postpone" or "we have to defer" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. The primary function is to inform, emphasizing the obligation to reschedule or suspend an action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we need to postpone

Emphasizes the necessity of postponing, focusing on the need rather than obligation.

we have to defer

Indicates a requirement to defer something, highlighting the obligatory aspect of the delay.

we should put off

Suggests postponing as a recommended course of action, with a less forceful tone.

we ought to hold back

Implies restraining or holding back an action, rather than a complete postponement.

we are compelled to adjourn

Highlights the forced or obligatory nature of the adjournment.

it is imperative to reschedule

Emphasizes the urgency of rescheduling an event or action.

it's crucial to suspend

Highlights the criticality of temporarily ceasing an action or process.

we are forced to shelve

Implies a more indefinite postponement, potentially suggesting the action may not be revisited soon.

we find it necessary to table

Indicates the action is being set aside for later consideration, often in a formal setting.

we consider it prudent to adjourn

Highlights the wisdom of postponing action, emphasizing caution and careful judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "we must delay" in a sentence?

Use "we must delay" to indicate a necessary postponement. For example, "Due to unforeseen circumstances, "we must delay" the project launch."

What phrases are similar to "we must delay"?

Alternatives include "we need to postpone", "we have to defer", or "we should put off", depending on the context and level of formality.

What's the difference between "we must delay" and "we might delay"?

"We must delay" indicates a definite need to postpone, while "we might delay" suggests a possibility but not a certainty. The first conveys obligation, the second possibility.

Is "we must delay" formal or informal?

"We must delay" is generally neutral and suitable for most contexts. More formal alternatives could include "we are compelled to adjourn", while more informal options might use "we should put off".