Deferred the decision

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Deferred the decision" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a decision has been postponed or delayed to a later time. Example: "The committee deferred the decision until the next meeting to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The court deferred the decision to the Department of Consumer Protection.

The New York Times

In an uncertain market, "we basically deferred the decision" to buy, Mr. Nasta said, believing that prices would drop.

The New York Times

He deferred the decision on whether to allow the dredging shortly before Labor lost last year's election.

The Guardian

She was expected to do so on October 9th but deferred the decision until he in effect adopts her entire manifesto.

The Economist

They can only stay if Kabul signs a long-term security deal with Washington, and Karzai has deferred the decision to his successor.

The Guardian

Councillors have deferred the decision over controversial plans to build homes on the former Leeds Girls High School site, claiming they need more information before reaching a resolution.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

The father deferred the decision-making to the son, who researched hospitals and found a team with a great reputation and lots of experience.

The New Yorker

These amendments simply defer the decision.

The Guardian

They had the opportunity to defer the decision.

The Guardian

Deferring the decision on the sales also gives Mr. Bush some leverage over Taiwan's leaders.

The New York Times

At that time, the committee may offer admission, deny admission, or defer the decision to Regular Action.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deferred the decision", ensure the context clearly indicates who is deferring the decision and what the subject of the decision is. This clarifies the action and its implications.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who deferred the decision. For example, instead of "The decision was deferred", specify "The committee deferred the decision".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deferred the decision" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of postponing or delaying a choice. Ludwig's examples showcase its use across various contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness and functional versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

HuffPost

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deferred the decision" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the postponement of a choice or judgment. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying who is deferring the decision and what the subject of the decision is to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "postponed the decision" or "delayed the decision" can be used depending on the desired tone and nuance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Postponed the decision

Replaces "deferred" with "postponed", indicating a temporary delay.

Delayed the decision

Substitutes "deferred" with "delayed", suggesting a similar concept of putting off the decision.

Put off the decision

Uses the phrasal verb "put off" instead of "deferred", offering a more informal tone.

Adjourned the decision

Replaces "deferred" with "adjourned", implying a temporary suspension of the decision-making process, often in a formal setting.

Held off on the decision

Uses "held off on" to convey the idea of deliberately waiting before making a decision.

Reserved judgment

Indicates a withholding of a final decision or opinion.

Tabled the decision

Implies that the decision has been set aside for later consideration, often in a meeting context.

Suspended the decision

Suggests a temporary cessation of the decision-making process.

Shelved the decision

Indicates that the decision has been put aside, possibly indefinitely.

Waited to decide

Simple substitution indicating a delay in making a choice.

FAQs

What does it mean to "defer a decision"?

To "defer a decision" means to postpone or delay making a final choice or judgment until a later time. It suggests a temporary suspension of the decision-making process.

What can I say instead of "deferred the decision"?

You can use alternatives like "postponed the decision", "delayed the decision", or "put off the decision" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "deferred on the decision" instead of "deferred the decision"?

No, the correct phrasing is "deferred the decision". The verb "defer" takes a direct object in this context. Saying "deferred on the decision" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "deferred the decision" and "reserved judgment"?

While both phrases imply a delay in making a final determination, "deferred the decision" suggests a postponement of the entire decision-making process. "Reserved judgment" focuses more on withholding a final opinion or assessment.