Put Off vs. Delay: Master the Art of Postponing in English

Feeling overwhelmed by a mountain of tasks? Ever find yourself saying, "I'll do it later," and then later never comes? 

You're not alone! This common feeling of delaying things has a few different names in English, and understanding the subtle differences can make your daily conversations sound much more natural. 

While many English learners know a few ways to say "delay" or "postpone," native speakers often choose specific words depending on the context. 

This guide will help you master the most common phrases, from formal business settings to casual chats with friends.

The Core Difference: Intentional vs. Circumstantial Delays

The biggest mistake English learners make is using one word for all situations. The key is to distinguish between intentional postponement and circumstantial delays.

• Put off: This is about intentional postponement. You actively choose to delay something. It's a conscious decision made by a person. You "put off a meeting," "put off a doctor's appointment," or "put off cleaning your room." It implies personal agency and choice.
• Delay: This can be either intentional or unintentional. It's a broader term that covers both planned postponements and unexpected circumstances. A flight can be "delayed" by weather (unintentional), or a company can "delay" a product launch (intentional). It's more neutral and formal.

Think of it this way: when you put something off, you're making a personal choice. When something is delayed, it could be your choice or external circumstances.

Put Off: The Go-To for Personal Postponing

"Put off" is arguably the most common and versatile phrase for postponing something you have control over. It's a phrasal verb, which is very typical of informal, everyday English.

• Meaning: To intentionally delay doing something or to postpone an event to a later time by choice.
• Emphasis: Personal decision and control over the postponement.
• Usage: Perfect for daily conversation about personal tasks, social plans, or household chores. It feels natural and conversational.

Examples:

• "I've been putting off doing the laundry all week." (Personal choice to delay a chore.) 
  
  
  
• "Let's put off our lunch date until next week." (Mutual decision to postpone plans.)
• "I really need to stop putting off that phone call to my dentist." (Acknowledging personal avoidance.)
• "She put off her wedding planning until the last minute." (Personal procrastination.)
• "We should put off this discussion until we're both calmer." (Strategic postponement.)
• "I keep putting off reading that book everyone recommended." (Personal delay of leisure activity.)
• "They decided to put off buying a house until next year." (Financial planning decision.)

Delay: The Neutral, All-Purpose Word

"Delay" is a more formal and neutral word that describes any postponement, whether intentional or caused by external factors. It's widely used in both professional and casual contexts.

• Meaning: To cause something to be late or to happen at a later time than planned.
• Emphasis: The fact of postponement, regardless of the cause.
• Usage: Common in business, travel, official communications, and when external factors are involved. It sounds more professional and less personal than "put off."

Examples:

• "The flight was delayed due to bad weather." (External cause, unintentional.)
  
  
  
  
  
• "We had to delay the project launch by two weeks." (Business decision, intentional.)
• "Traffic delays are common during rush hour." (Systemic, expected delays.)
• "The doctor delayed the surgery until the patient was stronger." (Medical decision.)
• "Construction work will delay our commute this morning." (External impact.)
• "Don't delay - apply for the scholarship today!" (Formal advice against postponement.)
• "The company delayed announcing the layoffs until after the holidays." (Strategic business timing.)
• "Heavy rain delayed the outdoor wedding ceremony." (Weather-related postponement.)

Key Usage Patterns and Grammar

Put Off Patterns:

• Put off + noun: "Put off the meeting"
• Put off + gerund: "Put off doing homework"
• Put + noun/pronoun + off: "Put it off" (Note: You must say "put it off," not "put off it")

Delay Patterns:

• Delay + noun: "Delay the flight"
• Delay + gerund: "Delay making a decision"
• Be delayed: "The train was delayed" (passive construction, very common)

Comparison Table: Put Off vs. Delay

When They Overlap

In many situations, you can use either "put off" or "delay," but the choice affects the tone:

• "I put off my doctor's appointment." (Sounds personal, like I made the choice)

• "I delayed my doctor's appointment." (Sounds more formal, like a scheduling change)

• "Let's put off the discussion." (Casual, friendly tone)

• "Let's delay the discussion." (More formal, business-like tone)

Common Mistakes & How to Fix Them 

Incorrect: "The weather put off our picnic." Correct: "The weather delayed our picnic." (Weather doesn't make conscious choices)

Incorrect: "I was delayed cleaning my room." (Sounds awkward) Correct: "I put off cleaning my room." (Personal task, personal choice)

Incorrect: "The flight put off for two hours." Correct: "The flight was delayed for two hours." (Passive construction needed)

Incorrect: "Don't put off it until tomorrow." Correct: "Don't put it off until tomorrow." (Pronoun must go between "put" and "off")

Incorrect: "I need to delay calling my mom." (Sounds too formal for personal relationships) Correct: "I need to put off calling my mom." (More natural for personal tasks)

Professional vs. Personal Contexts

Professional Context Examples:

• "We need to delay the product launch until Q3." (Formal business decision)
• "The board meeting has been delayed indefinitely." (Official postponement)
• "Please don't delay in submitting your reports." (Formal instruction)
• "Manufacturing delays are affecting our supply chain." (Business terminology)

Personal Context Examples:

• "I'm putting off my grocery shopping until tomorrow." (Personal errand)
• "We put off our vacation plans because of work." (Personal decision)
• "Stop putting off that difficult conversation." (Personal advice)
• "I've been putting off organizing my closet for months." (Personal procrastination)

Bonus Section: Understanding "Procrastinate"

Now that you've mastered "put off" and "delay," let's add another essential word to your vocabulary: procrastinate. This word is particularly important because it describes a very human tendency that affects most of us. 

What Makes Procrastinate Different?

"Procrastinate" is about the psychology and habit of delaying, especially when it comes to unpleasant or difficult tasks. Unlike "put off" and "delay," which focus on the action of postponement, "procrastinate" focuses on the behavioral pattern and mindset.

• Meaning: To habitually or repeatedly delay tasks, especially important ones, often due to anxiety, perfectionism, or lack of motivation.
• Emphasis: The psychological aspect and habitual nature of avoidance.
• Usage: Often used for self-reflection, academic contexts, or when discussing productivity and time management.

Procrastinate: Examples and Patterns

Academic and Work Contexts: 

• "I always procrastinate when I have to write research papers." (Habitual academic avoidance)
• "She tends to procrastinate on projects until the deadline approaches." (Work habit pattern)
• "Don't procrastinate on studying for your finals." (Academic advice)
• "He's a chronic procrastinator who works best under pressure." (Personality description)

Personal Development Contexts:

• "I procrastinate because I'm afraid of making mistakes." (Psychological insight)
• "Every January, I promise to stop procrastinating and be more productive." (Self-improvement goal)
• "The book teaches strategies to overcome procrastination." (Self-help context)
• "I procrastinate on difficult conversations with my family." (Emotional avoidance)

Grammar Patterns:

• Procrastinate + on: "Procrastinate on homework"
• Procrastinate + when: "Procrastinate when stressed"
• Procrastinate + by + gerund: "Procrastinate by cleaning instead of studying"

👉The Psychology Behind Each Word

Understanding the emotional and psychological context can help you choose the right word:

Put Off: "I'm putting off calling the insurance company." This suggests you know you need to do it, but you're choosing to do it later. It's a conscious, temporary postponement.

Delay: "I had to delay my insurance claim due to missing documents." This suggests external factors or practical reasons for the postponement. It's more neutral and less emotional.

Procrastinate: "I procrastinate on dealing with insurance paperwork." This suggests a pattern of avoidance, possibly due to the task being overwhelming, boring, or anxiety-inducing. It acknowledges a behavioral tendency.

Three-Way Comparison: Real-Life Scenarios

Scenario 1: Homework/Work Tasks

• "I put off finishing my report until tonight." (Simple postponement)
• "The report deadline was delayed by one week." (External change)
• "I always procrastinate on writing reports." (Habitual pattern)

Scenario 2: Social Situations

• "Let's put off dinner until next weekend." (Mutual decision)
• "Dinner was delayed because the restaurant was overbooked." (External cause)
• "I procrastinate on making social plans because I'm an introvert." (Personality-based avoidance)

Scenario 3: Health and Self-Care

• "I put off my dental cleaning appointment." (Specific postponement)
• "My surgery was delayed due to the doctor's emergency." (Medical scheduling)
• "I procrastinate on going to the doctor because I hate medical procedures." (Anxiety-based avoidance)

✅Common Procrastination Phrases and Idioms

• "Drag your feet": To do something slowly or reluctantly.

  • "Stop dragging your feet and just submit the application."

• "At the last minute": Describes doing something just before the deadline.

  • "I always do my taxes at the last minute."

• "Put something on the back burner": To give something lower priority.

  • "I'm putting my novel on the back burner while I focus on work."

• "Kick the can down the road": To postpone dealing with a problem.

  • "The government keeps kicking the can down the road on climate policy."
    
    
    
    
    

Overcoming Procrastination: Practical Expressions

• "I need to stop procrastinating and just start."
• "Instead of putting off small tasks, I'll do them immediately."
• "I won't let perfectionism cause me to procrastinate anymore."
• "Setting mini-deadlines helps me avoid procrastinating on big projects."
• "I procrastinate less when I break tasks into smaller steps."

The Procrastination Personality

• The Procrastinator (noun): "He's such a procrastinator - he never starts anything early."
• Procrastination (noun): "My biggest weakness is procrastination."
• Procrastinate (verb): "I tend to procrastinate when I'm overwhelmed."

Putting It All Together: Advanced Usage

Formal Writing and Speaking

In academic or professional writing, choose your words carefully:

• Formal: "The implementation of the new system has been delayed pending further review."
• Semi-formal: "We've put off the decision until we have more data."
• Academic: "Students who procrastinate often experience higher stress levels during exam periods."

Casual Conversation

In everyday speech, mix these expressions naturally:

• "I've been putting off organizing my closet, and now I can't find anything. I really need to stop procrastinating on these household tasks!"
• "Our flight was delayed, so we put off our dinner reservations. Good thing the restaurant was flexible!"

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

• "I realize I procrastinate on important life decisions because I'm afraid of making the wrong choice. Instead of putting off these conversations with myself, I need to face them head-on."

Real-Life Application Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Best Word

1. The storm ___ our outdoor wedding by three hours.
2. I always ___ when it comes to doing my taxes.
3. Let's ___ our meeting until after lunch.
4. She's been ___ cleaning out her garage for months.
5. The flight was ___ due to mechanical issues.

Exercise 2: Context Switching

Rewrite these sentences using a different word while maintaining the meaning:

1. "I put off going to the dentist."
2. "The meeting was delayed."
3. "He procrastinates on everything."

Exercise 3: Formality Adjustment

Make these sentences more formal or informal:

1. "The project launch has been put off." (Make more formal)
2. "We need to delay our discussion." (Make more casual)
3. "I procrastinate on difficult tasks." (Make more casual)

Key Takeaways

• Use "put off" for personal, intentional postponements in casual conversation
• Use "delay" for both intentional and unintentional postponements, especially in formal contexts
• Use "procrastinate" when discussing habitual avoidance or the psychology of postponement
• "Put off" implies personal choice and control
• "Delay" is neutral and can involve external factors
• "Procrastinate" focuses on behavioral patterns and often carries a slightly negative connotation
• In professional settings, "delay" and "postpone" are usually more appropriate than "put off"
• "Procrastinate" is excellent for self-help, academic, and psychological contexts

Cultural Notes

In English-speaking cultures, especially in North America, there's a complex relationship with procrastination. While it's often seen as a negative trait in professional contexts, it's also commonly joked about and discussed openly in casual settings. 

Understanding these three words - put off, delay, and procrastinate - will help you navigate both the practical and cultural aspects of discussing postponement in English.

The beauty of mastering these distinctions is that you'll sound more natural and be able to express subtle differences in meaning that native speakers intuitively understand. Whether you're explaining why you're late to a meeting, discussing your study habits, or planning future activities, these words will serve you well in your English communication journey.

Remember: don't put off practicing these new expressions, and don't procrastinate on using them in real conversations. The more you practice, the less delayed your English fluency will be!

Final Thoughts

Putting things off is a natural part of life. By using "put off" for specific actions and "delay" for things that are late, you’ll sound much more like a native speaker.

So, don't procrastinate on applying these new words! Find a specific task you’ve been putting off and try to talk about it in English. The more you practice, the more natural these expressions will become. Now, go out there and master the art of talking about delays!

References & Sources

• Cambridge Dictionary: Procrastinate

• Merriam-Webster: Postpone