Distinguishing Between Postponement & Delay

Postpone vs Delay

Understanding the difference between the terms “postpone” and “delay” can be challenging, as they may seem similar in meaning. However, there are some differences between them in terms of their connotations and meanings. When someone talks about delaying something, they are making it slow or late, meaning the process is ongoing, but it is made slow, so you will have to wait longer for the outcome. On the other hand, when it comes to the word “postpone,” it refers to moving an event from the present or near future to a later date. In this case, the action does not occur at all in the present, and you have to wait until the future date.

Key Takeaways

• Postpone means moving an event from the present or near future to a later date, while delay refers to making something slow or late.
• Postpone is a verb with the noun form “postponement,” whereas delay can be used as both a noun and a verb, with the adjectival form “delaying.”
• Prepositions “by” and “of” sometimes follow the word “delay,” mainly when used as a verb and stating the time by which an action was made slow. Such prepositional usage is not associated with the word “postpone.”