What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
tabled
Example
The committee tabled the proposal until the next meeting. [tabled: past tense]
Example
Let's table this discussion for now and come back to it later. [table: verb]
defer
Example
I have decided to defer my enrollment until next semester. [defer: verb]
Example
The judge deferred the sentencing until next week. [deferred: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Defer is more commonly used than tabled in everyday language, especially in British English. However, both words are still used in various contexts and can be considered interchangeable in some cases.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between tabled and defer?
Defer is generally considered more formal than tabled, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
