I deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you postponed or delayed a decision, action, or event. Example: "I deferred my decision on the project until I had more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I deferred 100percenttoto him.

The New York Times

So I deferred the musical climax".

The Guardian - Film

I deferred to Steve, but I wanted it solved.

The New York Times

I deferred that to help the Yankees out.

The New York Times - Sports

I deferred to him, he's the pro, but I gave him my opinions too, and left.

The New York Times - Magazine

I deferred to my doctor, knowing full well what that meant.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

I defer.

The New York Times - Food

I defer to their judgment.

The New York Times

And I defer to their direction".

The New York Times - Sports

I defer here to the eyewitnesses.

The New York Times

I defer to no one in this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I deferred" when you want to express that you are deliberately postponing something for a specific reason, such as needing more information or waiting for a better time.

Common error

Avoid using "I deferred" when you simply forgot to do something or were negligent. Deferral implies a conscious decision to postpone, not accidental omission.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I deferred" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating a conscious decision to postpone, yield, or delegate. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I deferred" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to indicate postponement, yielding, or delegation. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. As demonstrated through the provided examples, it finds common application in News & Media, Formal & Business and scientific contexts. While "I deferred" is generally acceptable, it is important to understand the subtle differences between alternatives such as "I postponed" or "I yielded to" to ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I postponed

Indicates a delay to a later time, similar to deferring, but focuses more on the act of delaying.

I put off

Implies delaying an action or decision, often due to reluctance or inconvenience.

I delayed

Similar to postponing, but can also imply obstruction or hindrance.

I yielded to

Indicates submission to someone else's decision or authority.

I conceded to

Implies reluctantly agreeing or giving in to another's viewpoint or demand.

I submitted to

Suggests a more formal or forceful yielding of authority.

I entrusted it to

Focuses on delegating a task or responsibility to someone else.

I delegated it to

Formally assigns a task or responsibility to another person.

I handed it over to

Suggests a complete transfer of responsibility or control.

I assigned it to

Formally allocates a task or duty to someone.

FAQs

How can I use "I deferred" in a sentence?

You can use "I deferred" to indicate that you postponed something. For example: "I deferred the decision until I had more information" or "I deferred my loan repayment".

What's the difference between "I deferred" and "I postponed"?

"I deferred" and "I postponed" are similar, but "I deferred" often implies a more formal or strategic reason for delaying, while "I postponed" can be more general.

What can I say instead of "I deferred" to indicate yielding to someone?

Instead of "I deferred", you could say "I yielded to" or "I conceded to" to express that you are submitting to another person's decision or authority.

Is it correct to use "I deferred from"?

While not as common, "I differed from" is used to indicate disagreement or deviation. In some contexts, it can be used as alternative for "I deferred" but the meaning changes slightly.