deferring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deferring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of postponing or delaying something, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The committee is deferring the decision until next month to gather more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For customers intending to start or finish their journey at King's Cross, consideration should be given to deferring travel plans to either Sunday or Monday.

The Guardian - Business

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

"Deferring prison building, together with the justice secretary's determined plan to reduce any needless custody, should benefit victims and society," she said.

The Guardian

An outcomes fund could pay for results such as avoiding hospital admissions, length of stay, maintained independence and deferring care home admissions.

The Guardian

More important, the act represents a watershed in the slow transition of social care out of a crisis-service mindset, geared to stepping in when people become dependent, into one that thinks first and foremost about keeping people independent deferring for as long as possible the need for intensive care and support.

The Guardian

Technically speaking, the plea is semi-understandable: the new system of deferring bonuses complicates the arithmetic.

The Guardian - Business

Some of this co-operation is practical; it also reflects the legal principle of "comity", a type of reciprocity that results in one legal jurisdiction voluntarily deferring to another.

The Economist

The relaxed reaction of the markets in February 2014 was in part based on the view that in referring a case for the first time to the ECJ, the German judges were deferring to it.

The Economist

With that aim, the UN's assistant secretary-general for political affairs, Oscar Fernandez-Taranco, had come to Dhaka on December 6th to hold talks with the leaders of both parties.Mr Fernandez-Taranco left Dhaka with a few hopeful words about the prospect of deferring the elections.

The Economist

He also has to keep the PDI-P happy, which means deferring to its leader, Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of the country's founder and a former president herself.

The Economist

David Cameron now prime minister, then leader of the opposition denounced a "broken society", arguing that "we have seen a decades-long erosion of responsibility, of social virtue, of self-discipline, respect for others, deferring gratification instead of instant gratification".Mr Cameron's claim, hyperbolic then, has since become ludicrous.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deferring", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being postponed and the reason for the postponement. This adds clarity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "deferring" (postponing) with "differing" (being unlike). Ensure your word choice accurately reflects your intended meaning to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "deferring" is as a present participle or gerund. It is used to indicate an ongoing action of postponing or yielding. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its active role in sentence construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deferring" is a versatile term used to describe the act of postponing or yielding. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is correct and very common. Its usage spans across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, and formal business settings. When writing, it is important to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being deferred and why. Be careful not to confuse it with "differing". By understanding its function, purpose, and register, writers can effectively incorporate "deferring" into their work, enhancing clarity and precision. High-quality examples from authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian illustrate the phrase's proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponing

Emphasis on delaying an event to a later time.

delaying

Similar to postponing, but can imply causing something to be late.

adjourning

Formal term for postponing a meeting or session.

suspending

Temporarily stopping something, often with the intent to resume later.

shelving

Putting a plan or project aside, possibly indefinitely.

yielding

Surrendering or giving way to someone else's wishes or authority.

acceding

Agreeing or consenting to a demand or request.

remitting

Canceling or refraining from exacting a debt or punishment.

bowing

Submitting to someone's decision or authority.

submitting

Presenting something for consideration or judgment, often implying deference.

FAQs

How is "deferring" typically used in a sentence?

The word "deferring" is generally used as a present participle or gerund, often in contexts involving postponing an action or decision. For instance, "The committee is "deferring the decision" until further information is available".

What are some alternatives to using the word "deferring"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "postponing", "delaying", or "suspending" to convey a similar meaning. Consider the nuance you want to express when choosing the best alternative.

Is it correct to say "deferring to" someone, and what does it mean?

Yes, it is correct. "Deferring to" someone means yielding to their judgment, expertise, or authority. It implies acknowledging their superior knowledge or position. For example, "The junior employee is "deferring to the senior manager"'s experience".

What is the difference between "deferring" and "referring"?

"Deferring" means postponing or yielding, while "referring" means directing attention to something or someone else. For example, you might consider "deferring a meeting", but you would "referring to a source" in your research.