are being deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that are postponed or delayed, often in a formal or business context. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the project deadlines are being deferred until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Many decisions are being deferred.

The New York Times

All of those are being deferred by the airline.

The New York Times

Purchases of flats, houses, cars and consumer durables are being deferred.

The Economist

At the same time, nominees who are regarded as highly conservative are being deferred indefinitely.

The New York Times

So the solutions are being deferred to future generations, as with that Earthbound problem, climate change.

The Guardian

The Bank of England has noted that many investment decisions are being deferred until after the referendum.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Advocates for patients said the promise of the law was being deferred.

The New York Times

The Conservative government's current public position is that a Trident replacement decision is being deferred for several years, past the next general election.

The Guardian

In state after state, tuition and class size are rising, jobs are being eliminated, maintenance is being deferred and the number of nonresident students, who pay higher tuition, is increasing.

The New York Times

But when it fell to eighty-nine dolastSeptembereptember, not only was Rinehart suddenly no longer the richest woman in the world but reports circulated that Roy Hill workers were being laid off and contracts were being deferred.

The New Yorker

If admission is being deferred, the admission office, as well as the program office, should be contacted to determine if the deposit can be credited to a later term.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being deferred" when you want to convey a formal or official sense of postponement. This phrase is appropriate in business, academic, and legal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "are being deferred" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "delayed" or "put off" are more suitable for those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being deferred" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being postponed or delayed. It is used to describe situations where decisions, actions, or events are intentionally rescheduled to a later time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are being deferred" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive verb construction that formally indicates postponement or delay. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it is best suited for professional, news, and academic contexts. While simpler alternatives like "are being delayed" or "are being postponed" exist, "are being deferred" carries a tone of intentionality and formality. Understanding its appropriate usage helps writers communicate effectively and avoid misapplication in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being postponed

Replaces "deferred" with "postponed", suggesting a temporary delay to a later time.

are being delayed

Uses "delayed" instead of "deferred", implying a hindrance or obstruction causing lateness.

are being put off

Substitutes "deferred" with the phrasal verb "put off", indicating procrastination or avoidance.

are being held back

Replaces the original phrase, emphasizing the action of preventing progress or advancement.

are being shelved

Suggests that something is being put aside indefinitely, possibly with no intention of revisiting it.

are being suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation or interruption.

are being adjourned

Replaces the original phrase, typically in a formal context, like a meeting or legal proceeding.

are being rescheduled

Implies that something is being moved to a new time or date.

are being carried over

Suggests something is being moved to a subsequent period or phase.

are being mothballed

Indicates that something is being taken out of service and preserved for potential future use.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is being deferred"?

It means that something is being postponed or delayed until a later time. It often implies a formal or official decision to reschedule or delay an event or action.

How to use "are being deferred" in a sentence?

You can use "are being deferred" to describe situations where decisions, payments, or events are postponed. For example, "Project deadlines "are being postponed" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "are being deferred"?

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

What's the difference between "are being deferred" and "are being delayed"?

"Are being deferred" often suggests a more formal or intentional postponement, while "are being delayed" can imply that something is being held back due to unforeseen issues or obstacles. The nuance often depends on the specific context.