Postpone sth Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Postpone sth” Mean?

“Postpone sth” means to delay something or arrange for it to happen at a later time than originally planned.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “postpone sth” is commonly used in everyday English to talk about delaying events, meetings, or tasks. Understanding the “postpone sth meaning” helps you express when plans change or need to be rescheduled. It is a useful phrase in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing changes in schedules or deadlines. By learning how to use “postpone sth,” you can communicate more clearly about timing and adjustments in your plans.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: postpone something
• Type: transitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: to delay or put off an event or action

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Postpone” is a transitive verb and is usually followed directly by the object (something). It is inseparable, meaning you cannot place the object between “postpone” and the rest of the sentence.

Correct pattern: postpone + something

Incorrect: postpone + verb + something (e.g., “postpone doing something” is correct, but not “postpone something doing”)

How to Use Postpone sth?

Use “postpone sth” when you want to say that an event or action is moved to a later time. It can refer to meetings, appointments, deadlines, or any planned activities. It is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase that indicates what is being delayed.

Examples of common uses include postponing a meeting, a trip, an exam, or a decision.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “postpone sth in a sentence”:

• We had to postpone the conference due to bad weather.
• The manager decided to postpone the deadline to give the team more time.
• They postponed the wedding until next year.
• The school postponed the exam because of technical problems.
• Can we postpone the meeting to next Monday?

Common Mistakes

When learning “postpone sth,” some learners make mistakes in word order or verb usage. Here are common errors and corrections:

• Incorrect: I postponed to meet him.
• Correct: I postponed the meeting.
• Incorrect: She postponed doing the homework something.
• Correct: She postponed doing the homework.

Differences / Synonyms

“Postpone sth” is similar to “delay sth” and “put off sth,” but there are subtle differences:

• Delay sth: Can be accidental or caused by external factors. “Postpone” usually involves a planned rescheduling.
• Put off sth: Informal and often used interchangeably with “postpone,” but can imply reluctance.

Example: “They postponed the meeting” (planned change) vs. “The flight was delayed” (unexpected).

Common Collocations

When using “postpone,” certain nouns frequently follow it. Here are some common collocations and their meanings:

• Postpone a meeting: Delay a scheduled gathering.
• Postpone an event: Delay a planned occasion.
• Postpone a decision: Delay making a choice.
• Postpone a trip: Delay travel plans.
• Postpone a deadline: Delay the due date for a task.

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a conversation where “postpone sth” is used naturally:

Anna: Are we still meeting tomorrow?

Ben: Actually, I think we should postpone the meeting. I have a conflict.

Anna: That’s fine. When do you want to reschedule it?

Ben: How about next Wednesday afternoon?

Anna: Sounds good. I’ll let everyone know.

Practice

Try completing the sentences below by choosing the correct form:

• We need to ________ the appointment because the doctor is sick.
  • a) postpone
  • b) delay
  • c) cancel
• They decided to ________ the party until next month.
• She ________ submitting the report until Monday.

FAQ

• What does “postpone sth” mean?

  It means to delay or reschedule something to a later time.
• Is “postpone” separable?

  No, “postpone” is inseparable and must be followed directly by the object.

• Can I use “postpone” with verbs?

  Yes, but you need to use the gerund form (verb + -ing), e.g., “postpone meeting.”
• What is the difference between “postpone” and “delay”?

  “Postpone” is a planned delay; “delay” can be accidental or unplanned.

• Is “put off” the same as “postpone”?

  They are similar, but “put off” is more informal and sometimes implies reluctance.