tabled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tabled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in a legislative or formal context to indicate that a discussion or proposal has been postponed or set aside for future consideration. Example: "The committee decided to table the motion until the next meeting for further discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The legislation also set detailed reporting requirements including annual reports to be tabled in parliament.

The Guardian

Just before Christmas the German government refused to answer a series of parliamentary questions Hunko had tabled about Germany's co-operation with undercover police officers from other countries, and Kennedy in particular.

The Guardian

If financial inclusion as a goal is not tabled on the international agenda, we will lack concerted efforts to ensure that systemic factors that exclude the rural and under-served segments are eliminated.

The Guardian

The prime minister is being warned that he needs to be careful not to misinterpret Merkel's approach, as he did in late 2011 when he tabled a series of demands for the City of London at a Brussels summit.

The Guardian

Another amendment in favour of decarbonising all of Britain's electricity by 2030, tabled by Lord Oxburgh, a former chairman of Shell, narrowly failed to pass.

The Guardian - Business

According to sources familiar with the resolution, however, it is unlikely to be tabled until after the end of negotiations between Tehran and world powers over a deal on Iran's nuclear programme – due to be completed by 30 June – and probably not before September.

The Guardian

This week, MPs tabled an amendment to the infrastructure bill so that in England pub owners will need to get planning permission before demolishing or undertaking any type of pub conversion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The battle over the target has the potential to be one of the most bitter within government and will come in the form of an amendment tabled by Tim Yeo, the Conservative chairman of the energy select committee.

The Guardian

Rangers' administrators have urged the Blue Knights consortium to substantially increase their offer for the club tabled in conjunction with the Sale Sharks owner, Brian Kennedy.

The Guardian - Sport

It is thought that about £5m of the savings relate directly to editorial budget, about the same level as tabled in Desmond's last round of cuts in 2012.

The Guardian

In the House of Lords last night, Lord Jenkin condemned the energy "oligopoly" and tabled an amendment calling for greater competition.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tabled" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the item was presented for discussion or postponed. This can vary depending on regional usage (British vs. American English).

Common error

Avoid using "tabled" without clarifying its meaning, especially when writing for an international audience. In British English, it means to present for discussion, while in American English, it means to postpone. To prevent confusion, use phrases like "presented" or "postponed" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tabled" is a verb, specifically the past tense or past participle of the verb "table". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe an action taken on a proposal, motion, or document.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "tabled" is a verb form with a dual meaning depending on regional context: to present (British English) or to postpone (American English). As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and formal business settings. Due to this ambiguity, clarity is key; alternatives like "presented" or "postponed" might be preferable to avoid misinterpretation. When writing for international audiences, consider substituting "tabled" with more explicit alternatives for improved comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

laid on the table

This alternative is a more literal and somewhat archaic version of "tabled".

postponed discussion

Highlights the act of delaying a discussion.

deferred consideration

This phrase directly indicates the postponement of a discussion.

delayed the matter

Focuses on the act of delaying a decision or discussion on a specific issue.

submitted a proposal

This emphasizes the act of formally handing in a suggestion.

presented a motion

This phrase highlights the formal introduction of a proposal.

introduced a bill

Focuses on the formal presentation of a legislative item.

put forward

This alternative emphasizes the act of presenting something for consideration.

shelved indefinitely

Implies a longer-term delay with uncertain resumption.

put off until later

A more informal way of saying something is delayed.

FAQs

What does "tabled" mean in parliamentary procedure?

The meaning of "tabled" can vary. In British English, it generally means to present a proposal for discussion. In American English, it usually means to postpone or suspend consideration of a motion indefinitely. Context is crucial to understanding its intended meaning.

How to use "tabled" in a sentence to indicate postponement?

To indicate postponement, you could say: "The committee decided to "defer consideration" of the proposal until the next meeting" or "The motion was "shelved indefinitely"".

What's the difference between "tabled" and "laid on the table"?

"Tabled" and "laid on the table" are often used interchangeably, especially in American English, to mean postponing a discussion. However, "laid on the table" might more specifically imply immediate postponement without a set date for reconsideration.

Which is a clearer alternative to "tabled" to avoid ambiguity?

To avoid ambiguity, use more explicit phrases like "postponed the discussion", "presented a motion", or "deferred consideration", depending on the intended meaning.