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Kachibibi Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

Delay, postpone, put off, procrastinate

To native speakers, what are the differences between these words with similar meanings (like in terms of usage and application)
  

Top answer

Hi The words can be used in various ways, but I would say: - delay - This is used if the person has made a deliberate decision - He delayed his attack until the enemy was weak - postpone - Quite often, this is used when another date has been set - We will have to postpone our meeting until next Thursday - put off - Possibly, the subject is to blame - He keeps saying he'll pay that bill but he keeps putting it off - She promised a meeting last week, but then she put it off - procrastinate - This suggests that the subject often puts things off - I'm not surprised he hasn't contacted me - he is always procrastinating Dave

— Dave_anon

  • Hi The words can be used in various ways, but I would say: - delay - This is used if the person has made a deliberate decision - He delayed his attack until the enemy was weak - postpone - Quite often, this is used when another date has been set - We will have to postpone our meeting until next Thursday - put off - Possibly, the subject is to blame - He keeps saying he'll pay that bill but he keeps putting it off - She promised a meeting last week, but then she put it off - procrastinate - This suggests that the subject often puts things off - I'm not surprised he hasn't contacted me - he is always procrastinating Dave
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1 Answers
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Hi

The words can be used in various ways, but I would say:

- delay
- This is used if the person has made a deliberate decision
- He delayed his attack until the enemy was weak

- postpone
- Quite often, this is used when another date has been set
- We will have to postpone our meeting until next Thursday

- put off
- Possibly, the subject is to
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