Reports swap some phrasal verbs for one verb (put off → postpone, do away with → abolish), but use delay when events make something late.
Delaying and ending things formally
Not "The strike will postpone deliveries by a week." — say "The strike will delay deliveries by a week.". Nobody chose the new date, so say delay. Postpone means someone chose a later date.
Try it: Lani: The draft says the reform would "do away with" the appeal system. Ethan: Too casual for a report. Write: the reform would ___ it. Choose the word for the blank. (abolish / postpone / delay) Answer: abolish — Abolish ends a rule or system for good, like do away with.
Try it: Lani: The committee chose a new date for the launch. Ethan: Then write: the committee has agreed to ___ the launch until June. Choose the word for the blank. (postpone / abolish / ascertain) Answer: postpone — Postpone moves something to a later date, which is what "until June" describes.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
postpone
/poʊstˈpoʊn/
The board decided to postpone the vote until the external review was complete.
abolish
/əˈbɑlɪʃ/
The ministry plans to abolish the outdated licensing rule next year.
delay
/dɪˈleɪ/
Continued travel disruption could delay the conference by several weeks.
Finding out and producing
Reports say determine for find out, ascertain for checking an exact fact, and generate for create or bring in.
Not "The study will generate whether the treatment is safe." — say "The study will determine whether the treatment is safe.". Use determine or ascertain to find out a fact. Generate means produce or cause.
Try it: Lani: Will the new job fair bring in more applicants? Ethan: I hope it will ___ real interest from local employers. Choose the word for the blank. (generate / ascertain / determine) Answer: generate — Generate means create or bring in, so it fits interest, while the other two mean find out.
Try it: Lani: Can we say the data was collected lawfully? Ethan: Not yet. First we must ___ that it was. Choose the word for the blank. (ascertain / generate / abolish) Answer: ascertain — Ascertain means check an exact fact carefully before you state it.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
determine
/dɪˈtɜrmɪn/
Researchers must determine the cause of the equipment failure before recommending changes.
ascertain
/ˌæsərˈteɪn/
The auditors worked to ascertain the exact amount that had been misreported.
generate
/ˈdʒɛnəˌreɪt/
The announcement is expected to generate significant public debate.
What are the common mistakes?
Incorrect
Correct
Why
The strike will postpone deliveries by a week.
The strike will delay deliveries by a week.
Nobody chose the new date, so say delay. Postpone means someone chose a later date.
The study will generate whether the treatment is safe.
The study will determine whether the treatment is safe.
Use determine or ascertain to find out a fact. Generate means produce or cause.