defer judgment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer judgment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to hold off on making a decision or forming an opinion until more information is available. Example: "In discussions about controversial topics, it's often wise to defer judgment until all perspectives have been considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Employees are instructed to "defer judgment" and "go for quantity".

The New Yorker

We want to like her, we pay special attention to her, we defer judgment of her.

The New Yorker

Representatives of the other major industry players said they would defer judgment on Universal's pricing plan.

The New York Times

For the moment, the right response is to defer judgment and keep a watchful, hopeful but wary eye on their progress.

The Economist

Several people have told me it was; I have not seen a clear image of its markings, so I will defer judgment on that for now.

The New York Times

One set of inhabitants of that world upon whom it is quite unnecessary to defer judgment are a large group of university students.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Early defectors include Marimekko and Tomas Maier, but others, while keeping their distance, are deferring judgment.

The New York Times

Instead of proposing a plan of his own for Iraq's transition to democracy, the UN's secretary-general, Kofi Annan, has deferred judgment over who should govern Iraq when the Americans hand over sovereignty or when the Iraqis should go to the polls.

The Economist

But the real games began when Shahid deferred judgment of "the issue" to a cleric who he regularly brings on the show as a moral compass for his guests.

Huffington Post

Who knows when it's over, what the best assessment will be, and I'll certainly defer my judgment," Mr. Rumsfeld said.

The New York Times

"Do not defer your judgment to those who do not share your values," Mr. Santorum said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When participating in brainstorming sessions, actively "defer judgment" to encourage a free flow of ideas and avoid stifling creativity.

Common error

Avoid evaluating information immediately upon presentation. Instead, "defer judgment" to allow for a more comprehensive understanding and informed decision-making process.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer judgment" functions as an imperative or recommendation, urging restraint in forming immediate conclusions. Ludwig AI highlights this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "defer judgment" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, advising a delay in forming an opinion until more information is available. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across various sources. Primarily found in news and media contexts, the phrase encourages objectivity and careful consideration. Alternatives include "suspend judgment" or "withhold judgment". The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse settings, emphasizing the importance of informed decision-making.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspend judgment

Emphasizes a temporary halt in forming an opinion, awaiting further information.

withhold judgment

Suggests a deliberate holding back of one's opinion until a later time.

reserve judgment

Indicates a decision to postpone judgment, often implying a more formal or considered approach.

delay judgment

Focuses on the act of postponing a judgment, without necessarily implying a reason.

postpone assessment

Highlights the act of putting off an evaluation or appraisal.

hold off on judging

A more informal way of saying to delay one's judgment or opinion.

refrain from judging

Stresses the act of actively avoiding forming an opinion.

take a wait-and-see approach

Suggests observing the situation before making any conclusions.

keep an open mind

Highlights the importance of remaining receptive to new information and perspectives.

avoid jumping to conclusions

Advises against making hasty judgments without sufficient evidence.

FAQs

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

You can use "defer judgment" when you want to express the idea of postponing a decision or opinion. For example, "It's best to defer judgment until all the facts are presented."

What are some alternatives to saying "defer judgment"?

Alternatives include "suspend judgment", "withhold judgment", or "reserve judgment". Each carries a slightly different nuance, but all suggest delaying a final decision.

Is it better to "defer judgment" or "make a preliminary assessment"?

Whether to "defer judgment" or make a preliminary assessment depends on the situation. "Defer judgment" is best when you lack sufficient information, while a preliminary assessment is suitable when you need an initial understanding but are open to revising your opinion later.

What's the difference between "defer judgment" and "avoid judgment"?

"Defer judgment" implies a temporary postponement, with the intention of forming an opinion later. "Avoid judgment", on the other hand, suggests a complete refusal to form an opinion, often due to a lack of interest or perceived irrelevance.