defer consideration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer consideration" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to postpone or delay the evaluation or discussion of a particular matter or issue. Example: "The committee decided to defer consideration of the proposal until the next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

The Supreme Court could also sidestep or defer consideration of the case.

The New York Times

The motion of petitioner to defer consideration of the petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.

Cornell University

The motion of petitioners to defer consideration of the petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.

Cornell University

In the opinion of some Democratic leaders, it will prob ably appropriate the funds al ready authorized for Israel but defer consideration of the rest until next year.

The New York Times

At the same time, though, the committee announced that it had agreed to a request from the Justice Department "to defer consideration of this matter" for the time being.

The New York Times

Since joint operation, however, could not be presently instituted but would have to await modifications of outstanding contracts, we think it best to defer consideration of the proposal until joint operation in fact and in law is permissible.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The committee has, therefore, agreed to defer considerations until October when the licence is due for renewal.

BBC

If the standards are higher for early-decision applicants, and the school usually rejects these applicants instead of deferring consideration, you may want to wait.

The New York Times

"We now have, in effect, an acceptance of deferring consideration of a Supreme Court nominee simply for political purposes, and that politicized and degraded the United States Supreme Court as an institution," said Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

HuffPost

"Many of the points of this finding relate to the FBI's investigative efforts on the Saudi intelligence presence in the United States and of Saudi officials' contacts with terrorists in the country, and, as such, the [CIA's] Office of Inspector General OIGG) 9/11 Review Team defers consideration of these to the Department of Justice and FBI," the declassified inspector general's report says.

Vice

After preliminary consideration of the R2 Motion at the scheduled omnibus hearing on December 18 , 2003 I decided to defer further consideration of the R2 Motion until the January 22 , 2004omnibus hearing date.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defer consideration" when you want to formally postpone evaluating a matter, often within a structured environment like a committee or legal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "defer consideration" in casual conversations. It is generally reserved for more formal contexts. Simpler terms like "postpone" or "delay" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer consideration" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of postponing or delaying a decision, evaluation, or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Examples show its use in formal settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defer consideration" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate the postponement of a decision, evaluation, or discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal contexts such as legal, academic, and business settings. While it appears most frequently in news and media, its formal tone makes it less appropriate for casual conversation. Alternatives like "postpone" or "delay" might be more suitable in informal situations. Using "defer consideration" effectively involves understanding its formal register and applying it appropriately in structured environments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone deliberation

Emphasizes the act of delaying a formal discussion or debate.

delay assessment

Highlights the postponement of an evaluation or judgment.

table the discussion

Refers to postponing a discussion to a later time, often in a meeting setting.

suspend judgment

Focuses on delaying the formation of an opinion or decision.

shelve for later

Suggests putting something aside with the intention of addressing it in the future.

put on hold

Indicates a temporary interruption or delay.

adjourn the matter

Specifically relates to postponing a formal proceeding or meeting.

hold in abeyance

Implies a temporary suspension or inactivity.

delay the verdict

Relates to the specific context of law and trials, where it means postpone or defer judgment.

reserve decision

Withhold the decision or conclusion until some future time.

FAQs

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

You can use "defer consideration" to indicate the postponement of a decision or evaluation. For example, "The committee decided to "defer consideration" of the proposal until the next meeting".

What is a more informal way to say "defer consideration"?

In less formal settings, you can use alternatives such as "postpone", "delay", or "put off".

When is it appropriate to use "defer consideration"?

It's most appropriate in formal contexts, such as legal proceedings, business meetings, or academic discussions, where a decision or evaluation is being formally postponed.

Is there a difference between "defer consideration" and "table the discussion"?

"Defer consideration" is a more general term for postponing a decision or evaluation. "Table the discussion" is specifically used in meeting settings to postpone a discussion to a later time. So you can use "table the discussion" inside formal meetings but "defer consideration" for most other settings.