greatly deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatly deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been postponed or delayed to a significant extent. Example: "The project timeline has been greatly deferred due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Had they asked about bookings (far down and greatly deferred) rather than assumed the worst because that made the most bloodcurdling headlines?

The Guardian

Such hardening process has greatly deferred the failure of the structure.

Carbon

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The price premium scheme greatly promotes the defer option values in the short term, but the feed-in tariff scheme excels in the long term.

Energy

But the global financial crisis deferred this urban dream, greatly slowing construction, curtailing ambitious plans for a personal rapid transit system, and rendering the stated goal of full carbon neutrality seemingly impossible.

The Guardian

Prior to the park's inception in 1980, general upkeep of the cemeteries varied greatly in the 20th century, and in some cases, was deferred for decades.

Huffington Post

These officers fear that any proposal that allows pension funds to be deferred -- paid out and invested, but not collected -- until officers retire will not help greatly with retention.

The New York Times

"They were deferred.

The New York Times - Arts

Necessary maintenance was deferred.

The New York Times

He deferred to Idzik.

The New York Times - Sports

More like deferred frustration.

The New Yorker

So there's deferred maintenance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly deferred" in contexts where you want to emphasize a significant postponement or delay, particularly when the delay has notable consequences. For instance, "The infrastructure project was greatly deferred due to funding issues."

Common error

Avoid using "greatly deferred" in casual conversation or informal writing. It's better suited for formal reports, academic papers, or technical documents. Simpler alternatives like "delayed a lot" or "postponed significantly" are more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly deferred" functions as an adverb-verb combination, where the adverb "greatly" modifies the verb "deferred". It describes the extent or degree to which something has been postponed or delayed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "greatly deferred" is a grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize a significant postponement or delay. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While relatively rare, it's best suited for formal and technical contexts like scientific reports or news articles. Alternatives such as "substantially postponed" or "considerably delayed" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Remember to avoid overusing it in casual settings for a natural tone, but use it confidently when needing to highlight the degree of delay with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly deferred

Uses a synonym for "greatly" that maintains a formal tone. Highly similar in meaning and usage.

deferred considerably

Inverts the original phrase order while keeping the core meaning intact.

substantially postponed

Replaces "greatly" with a synonym that emphasizes the degree of postponement. Formal and interchangeable in many contexts.

considerably delayed

Similar to "substantially postponed", focusing on the delay aspect. Suitable for formal and informal settings.

heavily delayed

Suggests a significant and impactful delay, often due to serious obstacles.

extensively delayed

Highlights the extent of the delay, implying a prolonged postponement.

seriously postponed

Emphasizes the severity of the postponement and its potential consequences.

largely postponed

Indicates that the postponement affects a significant portion or aspect of something.

long delayed

Highlights the duration of the delay, suggesting it has been postponed for a considerable time.

put off indefinitely

Indicates that the postponement is for an unknown or unlimited period.

FAQs

What does "greatly deferred" mean?

The phrase "greatly deferred" means something has been postponed or delayed to a significant extent. It implies that the delay is substantial and impactful.

When is it appropriate to use "greatly deferred"?

It's best to use "greatly deferred" in formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize the significance of a postponement or delay, rather than in casual conversation.

What are some alternatives to "greatly deferred"?

Alternatives include "substantially postponed", "considerably delayed", or "significantly deferred". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "greatly deferred" grammatically correct?

Yes, "greatly deferred" is grammatically correct and follows standard English grammar rules. Ludwig AI also confirms this.