defer indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a decision or action will be postponed without a specific time frame for rescheduling. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to defer indefinitely the meeting originally scheduled for next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The statement did not specify how it arrived at $5 billion, nor did it address the issue of deferred taxes, which the company may pay in future years or decide to defer indefinitely.

The New York Times

She also wants to scrap a programme that allows firms to defer indefinitely the payment of tax on their reinvested profits.

The Economist

"New Tension Over Taiwan" (editorial, Feb. 23) calls for Beijing to defer indefinitely its demand for the return of its island province.

The New York Times

They can defer indefinitely, not avoid entirely, the tax burden on capital gains they earn through the forced sale of assets that could pose conflicts of interest.

The Washington Post

The second would allow companies to defer indefinitely paying taxes on their overseas leasing businesses, especially the profits from the leasing of commercial aircraft, a business in which GE is a world leader.

The Washington Post

Ms Bachelet says she would raise the corporate tax rate from 20% to 25% over four years, cut the top rate of personal income tax from 40% to 35% and eliminate the Taxable Profits Fund (FUT), a mechanism that allows companies to defer indefinitely tax payments on reinvested earnings.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The apocalypse has been deferred indefinitely.

The New York Times

But the question can't be deferred indefinitely.

The New Yorker

Thus, as long as profits are held abroad, United States taxes are deferred indefinitely.

The New York Times

Of course, the Government's duty to enforce the immigration laws should not be deferred indefinitely.

Cornell University

At the same time, nominees who are regarded as highly conservative are being deferred indefinitely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defer indefinitely" when you want to clearly communicate that a decision or action is being postponed with no specific future date planned. It conveys a stronger sense of open-endedness than simply 'postpone'.

Common error

Avoid using "defer indefinitely" when you actually mean to cancel something. Deferring implies a possibility of future reconsideration, while canceling suggests a permanent end.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer indefinitely" functions as a verb phrase modified by an adverb. It indicates the action of postponing something without a specified time for its resumption. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defer indefinitely" is a grammatically sound and usable expression used to indicate the postponement of an action or decision without a specified future date. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across various reliable sources, including news media, business publications, and academic texts. While similar to phrases like "postpone indefinitely" or "delay indefinitely", "defer indefinitely" carries a slightly more formal tone. When using this phrase, ensure you are clearly communicating that the postponement is open-ended and not a cancellation. Remember, deferring allows for potential future reconsideration, while canceling implies a permanent end.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay without limit

Highlights the lack of constraints on the delay's duration.

postpone without a set date

Focuses on the act of postponing, highlighting the absence of a definite reschedule.

suspend for an unspecified duration

Emphasizes the temporary halt and the lack of a known endpoint.

put off for the foreseeable future

Suggests postponement for a period that is considered indefinite.

shelve indefinitely

Suggests putting something aside, possibly permanently, but without explicitly stating it.

table indefinitely

To postpone discussion of a topic indefinitely.

hold in abeyance

A more formal term indicating a state of temporary inactivity or suspension.

put on the back burner

Implies a lower priority, with no timeline for revisiting the matter.

adjourn sine die

A formal, often legal, term meaning to postpone without setting a date for resumption.

kick the can down the road

To delay or avoid dealing with a problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "defer indefinitely" to indicate that something is being postponed without a specific future date. For example: "The project has been "postponed indefinitely" due to lack of funding."

What does "defer indefinitely" mean?

"Defer indefinitely" means to postpone something without setting a specific date for its resumption. It suggests that the action or decision is delayed for an unspecified amount of time.

What are some alternatives to "defer indefinitely"?

Some alternatives to "defer indefinitely" include "postpone indefinitely", "suspend indefinitely", or "shelve indefinitely". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "defer indefinitely" or "delay indefinitely"?

"Defer indefinitely" and "delay indefinitely" are largely interchangeable. However, "defer" can sometimes imply a more formal or official postponement.