has punted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has punted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in informal contexts to indicate that someone has deferred or postponed a decision or action. Example: "The committee has punted on making a final decision until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

— has punted.

The New York Times

Greenpeace meanwhile has punted on the bluefin political process.

The New York Times - Magazine

TOMMY PARKS has punted well in Tupa's absence.

The New York Times - Sports

Tech is 1-of-8 on third-down conversions and has punted six times.

The New York Times

Mr Obama has punted on partial-birth abortion rather than denouncing the whole gruesome procedure.

The Economist

He has punted 623 times without having one blocked, matching Dave Jennings's mark.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

This legislative session, politicians have punted on clarifying the issue.

The New York Times

They have punted their bank holdings over the last month.

The New York Times

But here was the kicker: Ryan would have punted the ball had he won the challenge.

The New York Times - Sports

Had Cotchery not made the catch, the Jets would have punted.

The New York Times - Sports

Britain's pension funds have punted heavily on equities for many years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has punted" when you want to convey that a decision or action has been deliberately delayed or avoided, often implying a strategic choice not to confront an issue directly.

Common error

Avoid using "has punted" in contexts where a simple delay is intended; it often carries a connotation of strategic avoidance or passing on responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has punted" functions as a verb phrase, specifically the present perfect tense of the verb 'to punt'. It typically describes an action of avoidance, deferral, or passing responsibility, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has punted" is a common verb phrase used to describe the act of avoiding or delaying a decision or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for informal to neutral contexts like news or sports reporting. While alternatives such as ""has deferred"" or ""has postponed"" may be more appropriate for formal settings, "has punted" effectively conveys a sense of strategic avoidance. When using this phrase, be mindful of its potentially negative connotation and the context in which it is applied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has deferred

Indicates a postponement to a later time.

has postponed

Suggests a temporary delay.

has passed the buck

Implies shifting responsibility to someone else.

has side-stepped

Suggests avoiding an issue or question.

has avoided

Indicates a deliberate evasion of something.

has shied away from

Implies reluctance or unwillingness to confront something.

has declined to address

Formally refuses to engage with a topic.

has tabled

Means to postpone consideration of something.

has kicked the can down the road

Postpones a problem or decision to a later time, often indefinitely.

has put off

Suggests procrastination or delaying action.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "has punted" an issue?

It means they have avoided or delayed dealing with the issue, often passing the responsibility to someone else or postponing it to a later time. Alternatives include "has deferred" or "has postponed".

What can I say instead of "has punted" in a formal setting?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "has deferred", "has postponed", or "has declined to address" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "has punted" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "has punted" might be too informal for academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "has deferred" or "has tabled" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

How to use "has punted" in a sentence?

You can use "has punted" to describe someone avoiding a decision or responsibility. For example, "The government "has kicked the can down the road" and has punted on addressing climate change regulations".