we put off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we put off" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something has been postponed or delayed to a later time. Example: "We put off the meeting until next week due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

We put off swimming.

The New Yorker

"If we put off the eligibility hearing, we delay the whole process," he said.

The New York Times

For one thing, we put off changes that we need to make as a society.

The New Yorker

"We put off filing for a death certificate," Ms. Sims said.

The New York Times

after we put off the fires, they started to shoot towards us.

The Guardian

But every time we put off action, the action we will be forced to take will ultimately be greater.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

One of the problems that we've had is that we have put off big problems again and again and again and again.

The New York Times

We'd put off, or abandon some; we'd make way for those that are really important to us - strivings that would really count in the end.

Huffington Post

"My wife and I have plans on what we'd like to do that we've put off for 4 years," Brinkman says.

Science Magazine

We often put off meeting up until after payday, so we can afford to buy drinks.

The Guardian

"I think we've put off the other idea for such a long time that we weren't going to put it off any longer," he said.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we put off" when you want to convey a sense of shared responsibility or collective decision-making in delaying something. For example, "We put off the decision until more data was available."

Common error

Avoid using "we put off" excessively in formal or business writing. Opt for more professional alternatives like "we postponed" or "we deferred" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we put off" functions as a phrasal verb, where "put off" is the verb and "we" is the subject. According to Ludwig, this construction is grammatically sound and indicates a postponement or delay of an action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we put off" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrasal verb that signifies delaying or postponing something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, and less so in strictly academic settings. When using "we put off", ensure it aligns with the overall tone, considering alternatives like "we postponed" or "we deferred" for more formal situations. Remember to use it to convey a shared responsibility in the action of postponing, differentiating it from simply avoiding something entirely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we postponed

Formally indicates a decision to delay something until a later time or date.

we delayed

Implies causing something to occur later than expected or intended.

we deferred

Suggests a more formal or official postponement to a specified time.

we held back

Indicates restraining oneself or others from taking action at a particular moment.

we adjourned

Usually refers to suspending a meeting or session to be resumed later.

we suspended

Temporarily stopping something, with the intention of resuming it later.

we shelved

Suggests putting a project or plan aside, possibly indefinitely.

we put on ice

Idiomatically suggests delaying something, often with no specific timeline for its return.

we kicked the can down the road

Idiomatically implies avoiding a problem or decision by postponing it.

we temporized

Using delays to avoid making a decision or giving a definite answer.

FAQs

How can I use "we put off" in a sentence?

Use "we put off" to indicate that a decision, task, or event has been delayed or postponed to a later time. For example: "We put off the meeting until next week."

What can I say instead of "we put off"?

You can use alternatives like "we postponed", "we delayed", or "we deferred" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "we put off" or "we have put off"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "We put off" implies a simple past action, while "we have put off" implies an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

What's the difference between "we put off" and "we avoided"?

"We put off" implies a delay, while "we avoided" suggests intentionally preventing something from happening or dealing with it altogether. For instance, "We put off the meeting due to scheduling conflicts," versus "We avoided discussing the sensitive topic."