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A reader wonders:
Can the word ‘prepone’ be used as an antonym of ‘postpone’? I’ve often heard people using this term but never been convinced about the usage. If this term is not correct or non-existent, what is the correct antonym of ‘postpone’ if any at all?
The word prepone to mean “to move forward in time,” is a word coined by English speakers in India. Example: The examination set for March 12 has been preponed to February 16.
Although a recent coinage–the OED dates its appearance from the 1970s–the word is constructed along the same lines as postpone,
postpone: from Latin postponere, “put after.” post=”after” and ponere=“to put” or “to place.”
The English prefix pre-, meaning “before,” comes from Latin prae, meaning “before.” If postponere, why not praeponere?
Some existing antonyms for postpone are “bring forward, move up, advance.” Ex. The ten o’clock meeting has been moved forward to nine.
The word prepone sounds too strange and unlovely to my ear for me to want to use it. However, if enough speakers decide that the word fills a need, it will catch on globally.
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9 Responses to “Is “Prepone” a Word?”
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Quoting from the OALD:
pre·pone / Ñ pri;’pJUn; NAmE Ñ -poUn/ verb[vn] (IndE, informal) to move sth to an earlier time than was originally planned
The word does exist, it has originated from Indian English and has been accepted by the Oxford dictionary. English as a language has borrowed from other languages and that is why it is so dynamic. The word chutney has been in the OALD since a long time, maybe an outcome of the British Raj.
“Example: The examination set for March 12 has been preponed to February 16.”
Shouldn’t this be: “Example: The examination set for February 16 has been preponed to March 12.”
If not, I am very confused.
Charles Lazo,
February 16 is earlier than March 12. The exam was announced for March 12, but now it will be given at an earlier date. It’s been “preponed” (moved up) to February 16.
If you’re confused by the usage, you can be sure that others are too.
“If you’re confused by the usage, you can be sure that others are too.”
Perhaps, but now I do understand. Mia Culpa.
If postponere, why not praeponere?
No reason — it is, in fact, attested Latin! Not with that meaning, though (it means “to put in charge” … the word “preposition” derives from the same source …)
I agree “pre-pone” is a term coined by Indians, though my English teacher repeatedly advised us not to use the word. I find it unpleasant too, and I still go by my English teacher’s alternative, “advanced”.
“The exams that were scheduled to begin on February 12 have been advanced to February 8.”
“Prepone” reminds me of a mother trying to potty-train her child (an unpleasant activity).
“Prepone” is unpleasant, too.
The exams will begin on February 8 instead of February 12.
thanks for the information,very useful
@Raman: Saying a date has “advanced” is far more confusing than using an inelegant word such as “prepone”, which is clearly the opposite of “postpone”.
If the date of an event is “advanced” it could mean advanced towards the present time (i.e. brought forward to an EARLIER date) or advanced into the future.
Far better to take Ken’s suggestion and reword to avoid all of them.