Confused Words: Delay, Postpone, Defer & Cancel

Hello English learners! In today’s lesson, we’ll be looking at four similar words that often cause confusion: delay, postpone, defer, and cancel. All these words imply a change in timing, but each has a specific usage. Let’s unpack each of them!

Delay

Delay (IPA: /dɪˈleɪ/) is used when an action or event starts later than planned, but still takes place.

Here are 10 examples:

1. The train was delayed due to bad weather. (The train was late because of bad weather)
2. He delayed his departure. (He left later than planned)
3. Construction work delayed traffic. (Traffic was slow because of construction)
4. The project was delayed by several weeks. (The project started several weeks late)
5. She delayed answering the letter. (She took longer than usual to answer the letter)
6. Technical issues delayed the launch. (The launch started later because of technical issues)
7. They delayed their trip due to illness. (They went on their trip later than planned because of illness)
8. We apologize for any delay in delivery. (We apologize if the delivery starts later than planned)
9. I hate to delay you, but could you help me with this? (I hate to make you late, but could you help me with this?)
10. The flight was delayed by 30 minutes. (The flight was late by 30 minutes)

Postpone

Postpone (IPA: /poʊstˈpoʊn/) means to decide to do something at a later time, especially because there is a problem.

Here are 10 examples:

1. They decided to postpone the meeting. (They decided to have the meeting at a later time)
2. Due to rain, the match was postponed. (The match was rescheduled for a later time because of rain)
3. We had to postpone our vacation. (We had to schedule our vacation for a later time)
4. The concert was postponed until next month. (The concert was rescheduled for next month)
5. The project has been postponed indefinitely. (The project has been delayed for an unspecified period)
6. The decision was postponed until further notice. (The decision has been put off until later)
7. The exam was postponed to the following week. (The exam was rescheduled for the following week)
8. I’ve postponed my appointment until next week. (I’ve rescheduled my appointment for next week)
9. They postponed their wedding due to the pandemic. (They rescheduled their wedding for a later time because of the pandemic)
10. She had to postpone her plans. (She had to delay her plans)

Defer

Defer (IPA: /dɪˈfɜːr/) means to decide to do something at a later time, especially because you want to give it more thought or because there is a more pressing matter at hand.

Here are 10 examples:

1. They decided to defer the decision until next month. (They decided to wait until next month to make the decision)
2. She deferred her acceptance to the university. (She decided to delay her acceptance to the university)
3. He chose to defer his military service. (He chose to delay his military service)
4. I have decided to defer my studies for a year. (I have decided to delay my studies for a year)
5. We’ll have to defer the discussion until tomorrow. (We’ll have to delay the discussion until tomorrow)
6. They deferred their plans until they had more information. (They delayed their plans until they had more information)
7. He decided to defer his retirement. (He decided to delay his retirement)
8. The team deferred the product launch. (The team delayed the product launch)
9. She deferred her dream to start a business. (She delayed her dream to start a business)
10. I had to defer my loan payments. (I had to delay my loan payments)

Cancel

Cancel (IPA: /ˈkæn.səl/) is used when an event or action is called off entirely and will not happen at all.

Here are 10 examples:

1. They had to cancel the trip. (They had to completely call off the trip)
2. Due to a family emergency, she had to cancel her presentation. (She had to completely call off her presentation because of a family emergency)
3. He cancelled his appointment. (He completely called off his appointment)
4. The concert was cancelled due to bad weather. (The concert was completely called off because of bad weather)
5. The flight was cancelled due to technical issues. (The flight was completely called off because of technical issues)
6. She cancelled her subscription. (She stopped her subscription)
7. They cancelled the meeting. (They completely called off the meeting)
8. The party was cancelled. (The party was completely called off)
9. We had to cancel our plans. (We had to completely call off our plans)
10. The event was cancelled due to lack of interest. (The event was completely called off because not many people were interested)

Conclusion

In conclusion, delay is when something starts late but still happens, postpone is to reschedule something for a later time, defer is to decide to do something later, often because of more pressing matters or needing more thought, and cancel is to completely call off an event or action. Remembering these distinctions will greatly enhance your English communication skills.