continue to defer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to defer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of postponing or delaying a decision or action over a period of time. Example: "The committee decided to continue to defer the vote until more information could be gathered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

This is not sustainable, but our elected officials continue to defer the problem.

University of California, Berkeley

"Those staff that remain, on essentially the non-football side, will continue to defer part of their wages.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither sector bosses nor policy-makers can continue to defer urgent decisions on reforming public-sector pensions, the report warns.

The Guardian

Meanwhile Washington should continue to defer any missile tests that would violate the treaty in its current form.

The New York Times

If he elects to continue to defer his payments while serving on active duty, he will owe more than $165,000 over the life of the loan".

The New York Times

"In order for them to go far they got to continue to defer to Shaq and just feed off of him," Garnett said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

President-elect Barack Obama continued to defer publicly to the Bush administration after the ground campaign began.

The New York Times

If the United States continues to defer making smart investments in our future, we will continue to fall further behind our competitors.

The New York Times

The ordinary citizens of the Chesapeake society, and those of most colonies, nevertheless continued to defer to those whom they considered to be their "betters".

Encyclopedia Britannica

He continues to defer to him, saying the other day that "Carlos is the center fielder, and he always will be".

The New York Times - Sports

If he continues to defer to those ministers in his cabinet who oppose peacemaking, the consequences for U.S.-Israel relations could be dire.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to defer" when you want to emphasize an ongoing or repeated action of delaying something, especially when there's an expectation that the delay might end.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to defer" when a one-time postponement is meant. Use "defer" instead of "continue to defer" when you are simply moving something to a later time, without the implication of a series of postponements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to defer" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action of postponement or yielding. It describes the act of repeatedly delaying something or showing respect by yielding to someone else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

26%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to defer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the idea of repeatedly postponing something or yielding to another's judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a range of contexts, from news reporting to academic writing. While versatile, remember to use it when you specifically want to highlight the ongoing nature of the deferral. Consider alternative expressions, such as "keep postponing" or "remain in delay", to add nuance to your writing. Be mindful of the context to ensure precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to postpone

Direct synonym, highlighting continued delay.

keep postponing

Emphasizes the act of repeatedly delaying something.

keep on delaying

Informal alternative, emphasizing the ongoing nature of delaying.

consistently postpone

Highlights the regular and repeated act of postponing.

remain in delay

Highlights the state of being delayed, focusing on inaction.

persist in postponing

Stresses the ongoing nature of the postponement.

prolong the delay

Emphasizes extending an existing delay.

maintain deference

Focuses on the act of maintaining respect or submission.

remain respectful

Focuses on maintaining a respectful attitude.

yield perpetually

Stresses continually surrendering or giving way.

FAQs

What does "continue to defer" mean?

The phrase "continue to defer" means to keep postponing or delaying something. It suggests that a decision or action has been delayed before and the delay is ongoing.

What can I say instead of "continue to defer"?

You can use alternatives like "keep postponing", "remain in delay", or "continue to postpone" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "continue to defer"?

Yes, the phrase "continue to defer" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. It accurately conveys the idea of repeatedly postponing something.

When should I use "continue to defer" versus simply "defer"?

Use "continue to defer" when you want to emphasize that the act of deferring or postponing has happened before and is still ongoing. Use "defer" when you are talking about a single instance of postponement.