I will defer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I will defer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that you will postpone a decision or action to a later time or to someone else's judgment. Example: "After considering the options, I will defer my decision until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"If drafted, I will defer and, if elected, I will resign".

The Guardian

Several people have told me it was; I have not seen a clear image of its markings, so I will defer judgment on that for now.

The New York Times

I understand that such letters take effect immediately upon their receipt and in consequence I will defer writing for a short time," he said.

The Guardian

Here I will defer to experienced harbor boater and author Bill Kornblum, who chronicled his love of sailing in and around NY in "At Sea in the City" (an excellent read by the way).

The New York Times

"If somebody has a better shot at winning the general election than I do and has an agenda that addresses the issues that I'm concerned about, then I will defer to them," Ms. Reno said.

The New York Times

Feder: I will defer to Don, who knows much more about the rental market than we do.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Er, I'll defer.

The Guardian - Sport

"I think I'll defer on that," Ms. Bair said.

The New York Times

I'll defer to sociologists on the meaning of this, but the popularity of social media is certainly one driver.

The New York Times - Sports

(I'll defer to Raffi Khatchadourian's great profile, written before Assange became quite so prominent, for a sense of how complicated Assange is).

The New Yorker

We've been lucky enough to get David Eagleman to join us, so I'll defer the strictly scientific questions to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I will defer" when you want to formally indicate that you are postponing a decision or action, or when you are yielding to another person's judgment or expertise. It adds a level of respect and acknowledgement to the communication.

Common error

A common mistake is to confuse "defer" with "differ". "Defer" means to postpone or yield, while "differ" means to disagree or be unlike. Ensure you are using the correct word based on the intended meaning in your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I will defer" functions as a declarative statement expressing a future intention to postpone or yield. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, confirming its role in indicating deference to expertise or delaying decisions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I will defer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signals a future intention to postpone a decision or yield to another's expertise. Ludwig examples show its prevalence in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "I will postpone" or "I will yield", the choice depends on the desired nuance. Remembering to differentiate "defer" from "differ" is crucial for accurate communication. Ultimately, understanding the context and intended level of formality helps in effectively using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I shall postpone

Replaces 'will' with 'shall', maintaining a formal tone and similar meaning.

I will put off

Uses a phrasal verb to express postponement.

I will hold off on

Indicates a temporary delay.

I will yield

Suggests conceding to another's judgment or authority.

I will concede

Similar to 'yield', implying acceptance of another's viewpoint.

I will pass

Indicates declining to take an action or make a decision.

I will delegate

Specifies the act of entrusting a task or decision to someone else.

I will abstain

Implies refraining from making a choice or taking part.

I will submit

Suggests accepting someone else's decision or authority.

I will table this

A more formal way of saying something will be postponed for later discussion.

FAQs

What does "I will defer" mean?

"I will defer" means that you will postpone something, typically a decision or action, to a later time or allow someone else to make the decision. It often implies respect for another's expertise or authority.

When is it appropriate to use "I will defer"?

It's appropriate to use "I will defer" in formal or professional settings when you want to show respect for someone's expertise or indicate that you are not ready to make a decision. For example, "I will defer to the expert on this matter".

What are some alternatives to saying "I will defer"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I will postpone", "I will delay", "I will yield", or "I will hold off on". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is "I'll defer" more or less formal than "I will defer"?

"I'll defer" is a contraction of "I will defer" and is slightly less formal. While both are acceptable, "I will defer" is generally preferred in more formal or professional contexts.