be deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

"be deferred" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the action of postponing or delaying something. It can be used in various contexts, such as in formal writing, legal documents, or polite requests. Example: The deadline for submitting the report has been deferred until next week. In this sentence, "be deferred" is used to indicate that the original deadline has been postponed to a later date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much business travel will be deferred, too.

The Economist

The issue should be deferred again.

The New York Times

The judgment is expected to be deferred.

Independent

Acceptances may not be deferred.

Yale University

There's things to be deferred.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But the question can't be deferred indefinitely.

The New Yorker

Those investments are going to be deferred".

The New York Times

I understood this to be deferred salary.

The Guardian

Most of Mr. McCann's bonus will be deferred.

The New York Times

She had medical care that had to be deferred".

The New York Times

But they, too, cannot be deferred any longer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be deferred" when a formal and intentional postponement is needed, especially in contexts like official announcements, legal matters, or academic settings. For example, "The decision will be deferred until the next meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "be deferred" when the action is not just delayed but canceled or abandoned altogether. "Deferred" implies a temporary delay, not a permanent end. If something is permanently stopped, use terms like "canceled" or "abandoned" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be deferred" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that an action or decision is being postponed or delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from business travel to medical care.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be deferred" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed passive verb phrase used to indicate that an action or event is being postponed. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It is prevalent in formal contexts such as news reporting, academic writing, and scientific publications, where precision in conveying the postponement of an event is crucial. While alternatives like "be delayed" or "be postponed" exist, "be deferred" often suggests a more deliberate and official decision to postpone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be postponed

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

be delayed

Replaces "deferred" with "delayed", suggesting a less formal or significant postponement.

be put off

Uses the phrasal verb "put off" in place of "deferred", indicating a more casual postponement.

be rescheduled

Suggests the action will happen, but at a later time/date.

be adjourned

Replaces "deferred" with "adjourned", indicating a temporary suspension of proceedings.

be suspended

Replaces "deferred" with "suspended", suggesting a temporary halt.

be held over

Emphasizes the intent to keep something for later consideration.

be shelved

Suggests the action/event has been postponed indefinitely.

be tabled

Implies the action/event has been put aside for later.

be carried over

Expresses the idea of carrying the action/event to a future date.

FAQs

How do I use "be deferred" in a sentence?

"Be deferred" is typically used in passive constructions to indicate that an action or event is being postponed. For example, "The payment can be deferred until next month" or "The decision will be deferred to a later date".

What's the difference between "be deferred" and "be delayed"?

While both imply postponement, "be deferred" often suggests a more formal or intentional postponement, while "be delayed" can refer to any kind of delay, regardless of intent or formality.

Can I use "be deferred" and "be postponed" interchangeably?

Yes, "be deferred" and "be postponed" are often interchangeable, especially in formal contexts. However, "be deferred" might imply a slightly more considered or official decision to delay something.

What can I say instead of "be deferred"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be delayed", "be put off", "be rescheduled", or "be tabled".