deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been postponed or delayed to a later time. For example, "The payment was deferred until the customer could get their financial situation in order."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Throughout her career she referred to herself as a "hack", and even when her reputation was at it height, she always deferred to the picture editor.

The Guardian - Arts

A decision on the issue has been deferred to June.

The Guardian

The strange thing about the move to radical populism in politics is how much, so far, the young have deferred to the systems designed by the old.

The Guardian - Opinion

And critically, Abbott's signature women's policy, the enhanced paid parental leave scheme has now been deferred with no clear signal of return.

The Guardian - Opinion

Meaninglessness, endlessly deferred, is our bread and butter.

The Guardian

Over the course of the weekend, they all say much the same, but I can never be bothered to press them on the obvious question: "What's on it?" Perhaps I have a talent for deferred gratification.

The Guardian - Books

A woman named Kanta from the alliance – which also comprises Mahila Milan (Women Together in Hindi) and SPARC Societyy for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres) – came to meet Parveen and her neighbours soon after the demolition was deferred.

The Guardian

In the case of AIB, the bonuses that have been stopped were deferred payments granted in 2008 – the year the wheels started to fall off the industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

She had always deferred to the picture editor, whose choice was often motivated by what would look good on the page or could be easily cropped to fit the space.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

More than four-fifths of FCPA cases against companies since 2010 have been settled with deferred-prosecution or non-prosecution agreements that is, out-of-court settlements in which the prosecution's case does not undergo the scrutiny of a judge.

The Economist

That matters all the more since other countries are copying the American approach: Britain, for instance, has allowed deferred-prosecution agreements since 2013.Some companies are starting to resist prosecutors' expansive legal interpretations.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deferred" when you want to indicate a deliberate decision to postpone something to a later time, especially in formal contexts such as legal, financial, or administrative matters.

Common error

Avoid using "deferred" when you mean "differed". "Deferred" means postponed, while "differed" means disagreed or varied. Using the wrong word can significantly alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "deferred" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has been postponed or delayed. It can also function as a verb, the past tense of "defer", meaning to postpone or yield. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deferred" is a versatile term primarily used as an adjective or a verb, indicating that something has been postponed or delayed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. Its usage spans across neutral to formal registers, with frequent appearances in news, business, and academic contexts. While often interchangeable with words like "postponed" or "delayed", it often implies a deliberate decision or formal arrangement. Avoid confusing it with "differed", which carries a different meaning altogether. With its prevalent use in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist, mastering the use of "deferred" can significantly enhance one's writing and comprehension skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponed

Indicates a delay to a later time, similar to "deferred", but often implies a more definite rescheduling.

delayed

Implies a slowing down or obstruction, often due to unforeseen circumstances, whereas "deferred" suggests a deliberate decision.

shelved

Suggests putting something aside, possibly indefinitely, which is a stronger sense of postponement than "deferred".

put off

A more informal way of saying "deferred", often implying reluctance or avoidance.

held over

Indicates a temporary postponement, often in the context of meetings or decisions.

tabled

Primarily used in parliamentary or formal settings to indicate a postponement of discussion.

remitted

In a legal context, it suggests sending a case back to a lower court or authority.

prorogued

Specifically refers to the discontinuation of a session of a parliament or other legislative assembly.

set back

Implies that something is pushed back, often with the connotation of causing a delay in progress.

adjourned

Refers to suspending a meeting to be resumed at a specific time or place.

FAQs

How is "deferred" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "deferred" often refers to payments or taxes that are postponed to a future date. For example, a "deferred payment" plan allows you to pay for something later. Similarly, "deferred tax" is tax that is not paid immediately but is recognized as an asset or liability for future periods.

What's the difference between "postponed" and "deferred"?

"Deferred" and "postponed" are often used interchangeably, but "deferred" can sometimes imply a more formal or deliberate decision to delay something. "Postponed" is a more general term for delaying an event or action.

How to use "deferred" in a sentence?

You can use "deferred" in a sentence to indicate that something has been delayed or postponed. For example: "The decision was deferred until the next meeting" or "The payment was deferred for six months."

When should I use "delayed" instead of "deferred"?

Use "delayed" when the postponement is caused by unforeseen circumstances or external factors, rather than a deliberate decision. For example: "The flight was delayed due to bad weather", whereas "The project was deferred due to budget constraints."