Guide 96 / 200 4 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “put off”
Four register-aware words for "put off."
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Put off" sounds reluctant — as if you want to avoid the thing. "Postpone" is neutral; "defer" is formal and often used for money; "reschedule" is administrative; "delay" is plain.
ii · The swaps4 ways
- 01Postpone neutral
move to a later date
Postpone the release to next sprint.
- 02Defer formal
put off, often financial
Defer the decision until after audit.
- 03Reschedule neutral
set a new time
Reschedule the review for Friday.
- 04Delay neutral
plain, factual
Delay the rollout by a week.