defer making decisions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer making decisions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting to postpone or delay the process of making decisions until a later time. Example: "Given the uncertainty of the situation, we should defer making decisions until we have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Due to limited involvement of infectious disease experts, the expert group chose to defer decision-making on infectious diseases.

Genetics in Medicine

GPs in one study actually felt waiting for results from laboratory testing was advantageous because it gave them time to "defer decision-making while awaiting results, thereby 'allowing nature to take its course'" (authors [ 19]) (note that this study was poorly described and trustworthiness of findings cannot be assessed).

BMC Family Practice

One leader making decisions.

TechCrunch

3. Making decisions.

Huffington Post

Start making decisions.

WikiHow

Set time limits for making decisions.

WikiHow

Guide the child in making decisions.

WikiHow

Avoid superstitious beliefs when making decisions.

WikiHow

Don't burden her with making decisions.

WikiHow

I'm horrible at making decisions.

WikiHow

The hope here was that the budget gimmicks and deferred decision-making they actually supported would have the appearance of serious belt-tightening.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defer making decisions", ensure the reason for the delay is clear. Providing context helps the audience understand why the decision is being postponed and what information is needed before proceeding.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "we will defer making decisions" without explaining why. Always provide a brief explanation of the circumstances that warrant the delay to maintain transparency and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer making decisions" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of postponing or delaying the process of reaching a conclusion. It's used to describe the action of putting off a decision until a later time.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defer making decisions" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the postponement of a decision. While Ludwig has indicated that the phrase is correct, this analysis concludes that it's frequency is missing. When you want to suggest postponing or delaying the process of making decisions, consider alternatives like "postpone making decisions" or "delay making decisions". Ensure you always provide context for the delay to maintain transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone making decisions

Replaces "defer" with "postpone", emphasizing a temporary delay.

delay making decisions

Substitutes "defer" with "delay", highlighting a slowing down of the decision-making process.

defer the decision-making process

Adds 'process' to emphasize complexity.

put off making decisions

Uses the phrasal verb "put off" instead of "defer", indicating procrastination.

hold off on making decisions

Employs "hold off on" to suggest a temporary suspension of decision-making.

delay the choice

Simplified by reducing the decision making process to simple act of making a choice.

table the decision

Uses "table" as a verb, indicating a formal postponement of the decision.

hold back from deciding

Employs 'hold back from' to convey hesitance or reservation in making a decision.

suspend decision-making

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal term, "suspend decision-making".

shelve the decision

Uses "shelve" to suggest putting the decision aside, possibly indefinitely.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to "defer making decisions"?

It's appropriate to "defer making decisions" when you lack sufficient information, when circumstances are uncertain, or when waiting for expert consultation could lead to a better outcome. This allows for a more informed and considered choice later on.

What are some alternatives to "defer making decisions"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone making decisions", "delay making decisions", or "hold off on making decisions" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "defer making decisions" and "avoid making decisions"?

"Defer making decisions" implies a temporary delay with the intention of making a decision later. "Avoid making decisions", on the other hand, suggests an attempt to completely evade the responsibility of deciding, which could lead to negative consequences.

How can I politely "defer making decisions" in a business setting?

You can politely "defer making decisions" by saying something like, "Given the current uncertainties, it would be prudent to "delay making decisions" until we have more data. This will allow us to make a more informed choice."