it can be deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it can be deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the possibility of postponing or delaying an action or decision. Example: "The deadline for the project can be deferred if necessary to accommodate unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The annuity income can begin immediately or it can be deferred until a later age.

Forbes

It can be deferred as long as it meets the constraints within a given period, in this case within daytime.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

But since this larger objection is most clearly expounded and defended in the Prolegomena and the "Refutation of Idealism" added to the second edition of the Critique, which is inserted into the Transcendental Analytic, discussion of it can be deferred for now.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Typically, they view the job of upgrading as a costly chore that can be deferred (it ain't broke, so why fix it?).

The Economist

That future can be deferred, but it will not be denied.

The New York Times

In not spelling out what's really wrong with the economy or whom he really expects to pay to fix it or pretending the costs will be minor because they can be deferred or obscured via inflation, Paul's being disingenuous.

HuffPost

One exception: If a person (or a spouse) is working past 65 for a company with 20 or more employees and is covered by its health plan, enrollment in Part B can be deferred until retirement without penalty.

The New York Times

Evaluate commitments and determine which ones can be deferred until there is time available to get it done.

HuffPost

It's true that the feeling of wanting to build/create/be a part of something can be deferred since traveling itself is a full-time job, and that simple fact can keep you satisfied for a long time.

Huffington Post

The joint force puts the U.S. nuclear deterrent at the top of its list for modernization and recapitalization and these no longer can be deferred, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told House Armed Services Committee members this morning.

Duke University

In fact, it is unnecessary to normalize the estimated transmit symbols during the matrix inversion step, but normalization can be deferred to the soft demapper.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it can be deferred" when you want to express that something does not need immediate attention and can be addressed at a later time. This is useful in project management, financial planning, or academic scheduling.

Common error

Avoid using "it can be deferred" when you actually mean something will be permanently cancelled or abandoned. Deferring implies a temporary delay, not a complete cessation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it can be deferred" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility or permissibility regarding the postponement of an action, event, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it can be deferred" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as validated by Ludwig AI, indicating the possibility of delaying an action or decision. While relatively rare in occurrence, it finds relevance across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. Alternatives such as "it can be postponed" or "it can be delayed" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Effective usage involves understanding that deferral implies a temporary delay, not a permanent cancellation. The phrase's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it can be postponed

Emphasis is on delaying an event to a later time or date.

it can be delayed

Focuses on causing something to occur at a later time than originally scheduled.

it can be deferred until later

Adds explicit mention of a future time.

it can be rescheduled

Specifically refers to changing the timing of a planned event.

it can be put off

Suggests postponing an action, often due to reluctance.

it can be put on hold

Suggests a temporary pause or interruption.

it can be held off

Implies resisting or preventing something from happening immediately.

it can be shelved

Suggests a project or plan is postponed indefinitely.

it can be suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation or interruption.

it can be carried forward

Relates to transferring something to a future period.

FAQs

How do you use "it can be deferred" in a sentence?

Use "it can be deferred" to indicate that something can be postponed or delayed to a later time. For example, "The decision on the budget /s/can+be+deferred/ until the next quarter."

What are some alternatives to "it can be deferred"?

Alternatives include "it can be postponed", "it can be delayed", or "it can be put off", each carrying slightly different nuances of delay.

Is it better to say "it can be deferred" or "it should be deferred"?

"It can be deferred" indicates a possibility or permissibility of postponement, while "it should be deferred" suggests a recommendation or advisability of postponement. The best choice depends on the context.

What does "it can be deferred" mean in financial terms?

In finance, "it can be deferred" often means that payments or taxes can be delayed to a later date, potentially offering short-term relief or strategic advantages. For example, taxes "can be deferred" in certain retirement accounts.