have been deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something has been postponed or delayed to a later time. Example: "The decision regarding the project funding has been deferred until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plans for expansion have been deferred.

The New York Times

Further payments would have been deferred to future years.

The New York Times

Their dreams have been deferred for 18 years.

The Guardian

Plans for a new 1,500-place prison have been deferred.

The Guardian

"If I had known that motion could have been deferred I would have deferred it.

The Guardian

As you have often pointed out, the economic consequences of the war have been deferred.

The New York Times

In that case, the problem would have been deferred rather than solved.

The Guardian

Gold bugs' dreams have been deferred, but will this time be different?

The Guardian - Business

"As a result, 294 flood defences have been deferred or cancelled," she said.

The Guardian

Wells and, for that matter, Robert Darnton will have been deferred once again.

MIT Technology Review

It might have been worse but for the thought that the succession may have been deferred, not decided.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer active voice constructions whenever possible for more direct and engaging writing, unless the passive voice specifically suits your communicative intention.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "have been deferred" when a more direct, active voice would improve clarity and conciseness. For example, instead of "The meeting has been deferred by the manager", consider "The manager deferred the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "have been deferred" is to act as a passive verb phrase indicating that an action or event has been postponed. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have been deferred" is a grammatically sound phrase widely employed to indicate the postponement of actions, decisions, or events. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent usage. While mainly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, writers should be mindful of using active voice for clarity. Alternatives like "have been postponed" or "have been delayed" can be considered depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been postponed

Focuses more directly on pushing something to a later date.

have been delayed

Emphasizes a slowing down or obstruction causing a later occurrence.

have been put off

More informal; suggests a reluctance or avoidance in addressing something.

have been shelved

Implies indefinite suspension, potentially without a planned future date.

have been held back

Suggests an external force preventing progress or advancement.

have been adjourned

Often used in formal settings, like meetings or legal proceedings, for temporary delays.

have been suspended

Indicates a temporary halting, often with an implication of eventual resumption.

have been rescheduled

Specifically indicates that a new time or date has been assigned.

have been carried over

Signifies that something is moved to a subsequent period or phase.

have been set aside

Emphasizes the act of reserving something for future consideration or use.

FAQs

What does "have been deferred" mean?

The phrase "have been deferred" means something has been postponed or delayed to a later time. It indicates a decision or action has been put off until a future date.

How can I use "have been deferred" in a sentence?

You can use "have been deferred" to indicate that plans, decisions, or events have been delayed. For example, "The project's deadline "has been deferred" due to unforeseen circumstances."

What can I say instead of "have been deferred"?

You can use alternatives like "have been postponed", "have been delayed", or "have been put off" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "have been deferred"?

While "have been deferred" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "they deferred") can often make your writing more direct and concise. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the entity being affected by the action.