Hold on a second

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Hold on a second" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to wait briefly, often while you gather your thoughts or complete a task. Example: "Hold on a second, I need to check my notes before answering your question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But hold on a second, tough guy, no one can affect you, even yourself.

WikiHow

"Seve said: 'Just hold on a second.

The New York Times

And hold on a second.

The Guardian - Music

Actually, hold on a second.

The Guardian - Books

"I said, 'Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

I'm like, hold on a second.

The Guardian - Sport

Q: Why -- (inaudible) -- PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

Q: What should the unemployed in particular... A: Well, hold on a second.

The New York Times

But hold on a second.

Forbes

But hold on a second, do they have a point?

TechCrunch

But hold on a second.... Is a job in technical sales really that bad?

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Hold on a second" when you need a brief pause to gather your thoughts or complete a quick task, but be mindful of the context and audience. In very formal situations, consider a more polite alternative like "One moment, please".

Common error

Avoid using "Hold on a second" in highly formal settings, such as academic presentations or interactions with authority figures. Opt for more professional alternatives like "Please allow me a moment" to maintain a respectful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Hold on a second" functions as an interjection, used to politely interrupt or request a brief pause. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across diverse contexts. It serves to momentarily delay a conversation or action, as exemplified in the provided snippets.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hold on a second" is a common and generally acceptable interjection used to request a brief pause or interruption. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, it's essential to consider the context and audience. For more formal situations, alternatives like "One moment, please" may be more appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, reflecting its broad applicability, but less so in strictly formal or scientific contexts. This makes it a versatile addition to your communication toolkit, as long as you're mindful of the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wait a moment

Changes the wording to a more direct request for a brief pause.

Just a minute

Offers a similar level of formality but uses different wording.

Bear with me

Implies a request for patience while completing a task.

Give me a moment

Highlights the speaker's need for a short period of time.

Hang on a sec

More informal and abbreviated version of the original phrase.

One moment, please

More formal and polite way of asking someone to wait.

Let me check that

Indicates a pause to verify information.

Allow me a second

More formal phrasing.

Please wait briefly

Direct and polite request to wait.

I'll be right back

Indicates a very short absence and return.

FAQs

How can I use "Hold on a second" in a sentence?

"Hold on a second" is typically used to ask someone to wait briefly. For example, you could say, "Hold on a second, I need to check my notes before answering your question."

What can I say instead of "Hold on a second"?

You can use alternatives like "wait a moment", "just a minute", or "bear with me" depending on the context.

Is "Hold on a second" appropriate for formal situations?

While generally acceptable, "Hold on a second" is more informal. In formal settings, consider using phrases like "one moment, please" or "allow me a moment".

What's the difference between "Hold on a second" and "I'll be right back"?

"Hold on a second" implies a very brief pause where you remain present, while "I'll be right back" suggests a short absence and return.