be deferred to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be deferred to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone or something is to be given priority or respect in decision-making or discussion. Example: "In matters of policy, the committee's recommendations should be deferred to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Demands for harsher austerity should be deferred to give reforms time to do their work.

The New York Times

Teaching Scholar appointments may not be deferred to a later year.

Columbia University

If you're the boss, you will be deferred to in public and probably in private too.

Harvard Business Review

Governments, they say, have put labels on things for a reason, and ought to be deferred to.

The New Yorker

But after Disney's years of fawning attention, Travers arrived in California expecting to be deferred to completely.

The New Yorker

Therefore, he argued, Kenyan law, which allowed for lengthy detentions without a lawyer, should not necessarily be deferred to either.

The New York Times

Borderline students can be deferred to the regular admission pool, preserving the spot in case someone better comes along.

Princeton University

It is important, also, that the demands of comity and courtesy, as well as of the law, be deferred to.

Cornell University

Education officials said the the subject was too complicated for students and would therefore be deferred to university.

The Guardian

Again, the cosmic problems of identity and the distribution of power should be deferred to legitimately elected parliaments as they develop the habits of democracy over time.

The Washington Post

The Palestinian demands for an airport and seaport, and the release of prisoners, would be deferred to further talks in about a month under the plan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be deferred to", ensure clarity regarding who or what is receiving the deferred action or decision.

Common error

Avoid using "be deferred to" when you intend to convey a simple postponement without transferring responsibility. In such cases, opt for phrases like "be postponed" or "be delayed" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be deferred to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that an action or decision is being delayed or transferred to another entity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be deferred to" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something is being postponed or that a decision is being passed on to another entity or person. It is versatile, appearing frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI analysis and multiple examples confirm its proper usage. When writing, remember that this phrase implies both a delay and a transfer of responsibility, so make sure that is your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be postponed until

Focuses specifically on delaying an event or action to a later time.

be delayed until

Similar to 'postponed', but can also imply an obstacle causing the delay.

be put off until

Suggests a less formal postponement, often due to reluctance.

be handed over to

Emphasizes the transfer of responsibility or control to another party.

be passed on to

Similar to 'handed over', but can also refer to information or tasks.

be submitted to

Implies a formal process of presenting something for consideration or approval.

be referred to

Suggests directing something or someone to a specific person or entity for a particular purpose.

be delegated to

Highlights the assignment of a task or responsibility to someone else.

be entrusted to

Emphasizes the trust placed in someone to handle a responsibility.

be ceded to

Indicates formally yielding power or territory to another.

FAQs

How is "be deferred to" used in a sentence?

The phrase "be deferred to" indicates that something is postponed to a later time or that a decision is being passed on to someone else. For example, "The decision will "be deferred to" the manager" or "The meeting will "be deferred to" next week".

What are some alternatives to "be deferred to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be postponed to", "be delayed until", "be handed over to", or "be referred to", depending on the specific context.

When should I use "be deferred to" instead of "be postponed"?

"Be deferred to" implies not just a delay, but also a transfer of responsibility or decision-making authority. Use "be postponed" when you simply want to indicate a delay without any shift in responsibility.

Is it formal to use "be deferred to"?

Yes, "be deferred to" is generally considered a formal phrase suitable for professional, academic, or official contexts. In more informal settings, simpler alternatives like "be put off" might be more appropriate.