we will defer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we will defer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a decision or action will be postponed or delayed to a later time. Example: "After careful consideration, we will defer our decision on the project until next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

At this time, we will defer further questions to Adrian's attorney".

Independent

Our report did not look specifically at the impact of high-skilled foreign workers on employment, so we will defer to the work of others in this answer.

The New York Times

"If any of the centers are not on line and up and running by the 28th, then we will defer and open them in the fall".

The New York Times

"We will defer our closing and cleanup until the end of May at the request of the commissioner," Father Howard said in a statement.

The New York Times

(We will defer to whatever the Guinness Book of World Records decides; the title of biggest depends on whether the Alta Wind Energy Center in the Tehachapi Mountains in California is counted as one project or five).

The New York Times

The matter is in the hands of the authorities, including the U.K. Serious Fraud Office, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Enforcement Division and the U.S. Department of Justice, and we will defer to them as to how they wish to engage with Dr. Lynch.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

We'll defer that answer to the actors, writers, singers and comedians who make light of politics in the show "Political Subversities," playing Saturdays at 9 30 p.m. through May at the People's Improv Theater.

The New York Times - Arts

We'll defer to the language in the device's announcement for this one, Porsche Design Huawei Mate 9 features seamless curved edges, a graphite finish and stylish black coloring combined with the latest technology.

TechCrunch

Lewis's most recurrent and central point is akin to Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody": When we interact with others, we all appeal to some foundational authority we believe is true outside of our mere wish for it to be true, and we usually expect others will defer to that authority.

Huffington Post

The CEO did specify one action that ought to aid esprit de corps: The leader and some 50 other top IBM execs will defer their own compensation increases "until we get our business back on track," Palmisano pledged.

Forbes

"The Swedes, we understand, have said if he comes to Sweden they will defer their interest in him to the Americans," his lawyer, Mark Stephens, argued at the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we will defer" when you want to formally indicate that a decision, action, or discussion is being postponed to a later time. Ensure the context clearly explains the reason for the deferral.

Common error

Avoid using "we will defer" interchangeably with simply delaying if there is no specific intent to revisit the matter later. Defer implies a planned future consideration, not indefinite abandonment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we will defer" functions as a declarative statement expressing a future action of postponement or delegation. According to Ludwig AI, it is commonly used to indicate a decision to delay a particular action or discussion.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we will defer" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate the postponement of a decision, action, or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides several real-world examples from reputable sources. The phrase sees widespread use across news media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. Alternative phrases like "we will postpone" or "we will delay" offer similar meanings, but "defer" often carries a nuance of planned future consideration. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in communicating the reason for the deferral and the expectation of revisiting the matter later.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we will postpone

Emphasizes a temporary delay in action or decision.

we will put off

Suggests delaying something, often due to reluctance.

we will delay

Similar to postpone, but may imply a shorter timeframe.

we will hold off on

Suggests waiting before taking action, often due to uncertainty.

we will yield to

Indicates acceptance of someone else's decision or authority.

we will concede to

Implies reluctantly agreeing or giving in to another's view.

we will table

Formally postpone discussion or consideration to a later time.

we will leave up to

Delegates the decision or action entirely to another party.

we will entrust to

Implies giving responsibility or authority to someone else.

we will pass on to

Transfers responsibility or a task to someone else.

FAQs

What does "we will defer" mean?

The phrase "we will defer" means that a decision, action, or discussion is being postponed to a later time. It implies a planned reconsideration at a future point.

How can I use "we will defer" in a sentence?

You can use "we will defer" to indicate a temporary holding off on something. For example, "We will defer the vote until next week's meeting".

What can I say instead of "we will defer"?

You can use alternatives like "we will postpone", "we will delay", or "we will put off" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "we will defer" and "we will delay"?

While both imply postponement, "we will defer" often suggests a more formal or strategic decision to revisit the matter later. "Delay" can be a more general term for postponing without necessarily implying a future review.