should be deferred

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be deferred" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that something should be postponed or delayed to a later time. Example: "The decision on the project should be deferred until we have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The issue should be deferred again.

The New York Times

This does not mean that all strategic decisions should be deferred.

Technological Forecasting and Social Change

Demands for harsher austerity should be deferred to give reforms time to do their work.

The New York Times

The tax increases he favors to pay for rebuilding should be deferred until the economy strengthens.

The New York Times

And there should be deferred divisions, so MPs could vote on the issues the following week.

The Guardian

I can think of no reason why this should be deferred".

The Guardian

The board said a "substantial portion of variable compensation, such as 40 to 60 percent," should be deferred over a period of no less than three years.

The New York Times

Agreement on such nettlesome issues as the status of Jerusalem and the refugee problem should be deferred to a later date.

The New York Times

But the conclusion the Chinese government seems to have drawn from the episode is depressing: that full democracy should be deferred further, perhaps for ever.

The Economist

Lenders should also reveal how they determine what proportion of bonus payments should be deferred, and what criteria they have for clawing back payments that have been made.

The New York Times

The issue is too important to be decided in the heat of a presidential campaign and should be deferred until Mr. Clinton's successor takes office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be deferred", clearly state the reason for the postponement and, if possible, indicate a potential future timeline or condition for revisiting the matter. This provides context and manages expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "should be deferred" without specifying a reason or future condition. This can lead to uncertainty and frustration. Instead of saying "The decision should be deferred", specify "The decision should be deferred until the Q3 results are available".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be deferred" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or suggestion that an action or decision be delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is grammatically sound and widespread. This phrase indicates that postponing something is advisable or necessary under the current circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be deferred" is a versatile phrase used to recommend the postponement of an action or decision. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It is frequently found in news and media, scientific contexts, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide a clear reason for the suggested delay and, if possible, a future timeline. Common errors include using the phrase without sufficient context. Alternatives such as ""ought to be postponed"" or ""needs to be delayed"" can be used to vary the language, but each carries slightly different connotations. Overall, understanding these nuances will allow you to use "should be deferred" effectively and appropriately in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be postponed

Replaces "should" with "ought to", emphasizing a moral obligation or advisability to delay.

needs to be delayed

Substitutes "should be" with "needs to be", indicating a necessity for delaying the action.

must be put off

Emphasizes the requirement for postponement using "must be", and replaces "deferred" with the phrasal verb "put off".

is best held back

Suggests that delaying the action is the optimal course, using "is best" and replacing "deferred" with "held back".

would be wiser to postpone

Introduces a comparative element of wisdom, using "would be wiser" and replacing "deferred" with "postpone".

it is advisable to delay

Highlights the recommendable nature of delaying using "it is advisable" while explicitly stating "delay".

is recommended to be tabled

Suggests the recommendation that the topic is tabled until a later date.

is better to put on hold

Replaces "deferred" with a colloquial "put on hold", suggesting a temporary suspension.

requires to be shelved

Indicates that the issue requires to be put aside temporarily or permanently.

necessitates being pushed back

Suggests a forceful need to postpone using "necessitates" and "pushed back".

FAQs

How do I use "should be deferred" in a sentence?

Use "should be deferred" to suggest that something be postponed or delayed. For instance, "The vote on the new policy "should be deferred" until all members are present".

What can I say instead of "should be deferred"?

Alternatives include "ought to be postponed", "needs to be delayed", or "must be put off", depending on the context and the level of emphasis you want to convey.

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

Both "should be deferred" and "should be delayed" are correct. "Deferred" often implies a more formal or official context, while "delayed" is more general. The best choice depends on the specific situation and desired tone.

When is it appropriate to use "should be deferred" in professional writing?

It's appropriate to use "should be deferred" in professional writing when you need to suggest that a decision, action, or discussion be postponed until a later time, typically due to pending information, unresolved issues, or strategic considerations.