defer briefly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer briefly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate a temporary postponement or delay of something for a short period of time. Example: "I would like to defer briefly on this decision until we gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Suicide is a rational option, the more so when hospitalisation can only defer death briefly at great physical and financial cost.

BBC

They'll see each other again; hope isn't crushed, it's validated and briefly deferred, and all the football-snatching in the world can't kill it.

The Guardian - Books

"The markets are very quickly going to appreciate that this does not remove this cloud of fiscal uncertainty, it just briefly defers it," said Ian Shepherdson, the chief economist at Pantheon Macroeconomic Advisors.

The New York Times

We briefly discuss this taxon below, but defer a fuller treatment to a separate analysis (Lehmann, Notes on the ontogeny of the aardvark (Orycteropus afer), submitted).

BMC Biology

We defer formal definition of basic terminology to Section 3. Next, we briefly state the goal of the problem considered in this paper.

BMC Systems Biology

I defer.

The New York Times - Food

People defer to her.

The New Yorker

"Don't defer and defer and defer," recommended Gaitskell.

The Guardian - Business

Lead or defer.

The New York Times - Sports

Er, I'll defer.

The Guardian - Sport

"We defer to them".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defer briefly", ensure the context clearly indicates that the postponement is indeed for a short duration. Avoid using it if the delay might be longer than anticipated.

Common error

While grammatically sound, repeatedly using "defer briefly" in formal writing can make the text sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "postpone momentarily" or "delay for a short time" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer briefly" functions as a verb phrase, where "defer" is the verb indicating postponement, and "briefly" is an adverb modifying the verb, specifying the duration of the postponement. Although Ludwig does not provide examples for this exact phrase, the provided samples show that both defer and briefly are generally accepted terms.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defer briefly" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a temporary postponement. While not frequently encountered, according to Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts ranging from professional to academic. Using synonyms like "postpone momentarily" or "delay for a short time" can enhance writing variety. The phrase is best used when emphasizing the short duration of the delay, ensuring clarity and managing expectations effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Postpone momentarily

Replaces "defer" with "postpone", emphasizing a temporary delay and replaces "briefly" with "momentarily", indicating a very short period.

Defer for the moment

Keeps "defer" but replaces "briefly" with "for the moment", indicating a temporary postponement.

Delay for a short time

Substitutes "defer" with "delay", a more common synonym, and "briefly" with "for a short time" which is a more verbose alternative.

Defer for a short period

Maintains "defer" but replaces "briefly" with the more explicit "for a short period".

Suspend temporarily

Replaces "defer" with "suspend", implying a temporary cessation and replaces "briefly" with "temporarily", which is a direct synonym.

Hold off briefly

Uses the phrasal verb "hold off" instead of "defer", indicating a pause or postponement, and keeps "briefly" for the short duration.

Put off for a while

Replaces "defer" with "put off", suggesting postponement, and substitutes "briefly" with "for a while", which indicates an indefinite short period.

Shelve temporarily

Replaces "defer" with "shelve", implying to put aside for later consideration, and replaces "briefly" with "temporarily".

Adjourn briefly

Replaces "defer" with "adjourn", which is often used in formal settings to mean postpone and keeps "briefly" to indicate a short time.

Table briefly

Replaces "defer" with "table", a term used in formal settings to postpone discussion of an item, and maintains "briefly".

FAQs

How can I use "defer briefly" in a sentence?

You can use "defer briefly" to indicate a temporary postponement. For example: "I would like to defer briefly on this decision until we gather more information."

What are some alternatives to "defer briefly"?

Alternatives include "postpone momentarily", "delay for a short time", or "suspend temporarily".

Is "defer briefly" formal or informal?

"Defer briefly" is relatively neutral, suitable for both professional and academic contexts. However, consider more common alternatives depending on your audience.

When is it appropriate to use "defer briefly" instead of simply "defer"?

Use "defer briefly" when you want to emphasize the short duration of the postponement. If the duration is not important, "defer" alone is sufficient.