we should defer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we should defer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that a decision or action be postponed or delayed until a later time. Example: "Given the complexity of the issue, we should defer our decision until we have more information."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We should defer to its political judgment that unlimited spending threatens the integrity of the electoral process".

The New York Times

"We should defer to another administration, Republican or Democrat," said Senator Smith, a missile system proponent who only wants to slow the deployment decision.

The New York Times

From the left comes the proposition that given the slow economy, we should defer attending to the problem of mounting obligations — and the truly delusional idea that growing federal debt doesn't matter because we owe most of it to ourselves.

The New York Times

"After careful consideration, we've decided that we should defer presenting this award to Ms. Ibrahim this year so that we have a chance to look further into these statements.

The New York Times

And today, there are those who say we should defer health care reform once again that at a time of economic crisis, we simply cannot afford to fix our health care system as well.

Forbes

Personally, I don't think that we should defer to the Washington pundits on this.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

They should defer more to their shareholders.

The New York Times

You should defer to their judgment and undergo some sort of deflustering.

The New York Times - Magazine

But a Hebei water-resources official clearly recognises to whom he should defer.

The Economist

Today, constitutional progressives still say that the courts should defer to economic regulation by the government.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said the attorney general should defer when local United States attorneys recommend against capital punishment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we should defer", ensure the context clearly indicates who 'we' refers to and to what or whom the deferral is being made. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "we should defer" without specifying the subject or action being deferred. Unclear context can lead to confusion about what is being postponed or to whom authority is being yielded.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we should defer" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a recommendation or suggestion to postpone an action or yield to someone's judgment. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its use in various contexts such as political judgment and award presentations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we should defer" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to suggest postponing an action or decision, or yielding to another's judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with some usage in scientific and business settings. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is well-understood and versatile. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly specify the subject of deferral to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "we ought to postpone" or "we need to delay" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we ought to postpone

Indicates a similar level of obligation but emphasizes delaying an action.

we need to delay

Focuses on the necessity of delaying a decision or action.

we have to put off

Implies a forced delay due to circumstances.

we must yield to

Highlights the act of conceding to another's authority or judgment.

we are advised to postpone

Suggests the delay is based on recommendation or advice.

it would be best to delay

Emphasizes the optimal course of action is to delay.

it's better to hold off on

Suggests waiting before taking action is the preferred option.

let's put on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension or delay.

we recommend delaying

Indicates a formal suggestion for delaying an action.

we propose to table

Suggests postponing a discussion or decision to a later time.

FAQs

How do I use "we should defer" in a sentence?

Use "we should defer" to suggest postponing a decision or action. For example, "Given the lack of data, we should defer the final decision".

What's an alternative to saying "we should defer"?

Alternatives include "we ought to postpone", "we need to delay", or "we must yield to", depending on the intended meaning.

Is it correct to say "we should defer on"?

While "defer to" is the standard construction when yielding to someone's judgment, "we should defer on" is not grammatically incorrect but less common. It's better to use "we should defer to" followed by the person or entity whose judgment is respected.

What's the difference between "we should defer" and "we should postpone"?

"We should defer" implies yielding to someone else's judgment or waiting for more information before acting. "We should postpone" simply means delaying an action or decision to a later time.