Please hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please hold" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where someone is asked to wait, often during a phone call or while waiting for a response. Example: "Thank you for calling customer service. Please hold while I transfer your call to the appropriate department."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Please hold.

The New Yorker

"Please hold fire".

The New York Times

Please hold; I'll connect you".

The New York Times - Tech

(Please, hold your "Duh"s).

The New Yorker

"Please hold," the I.V.R. said.

The New Yorker

"Please hold applause until end of dragon".

The New Yorker

Please, hold the puns for later.

The Guardian

"Please hold still" October 10, 2016.

The New Yorker

Please hold this position for four to six hours.

The New Yorker

"Please hold on for a moment while I locate the reservation".

The New Yorker

"Please hold me close, so I'm not alone," Ms. Charles sang in the chorus.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Please hold" in customer service, briefly explain why you are asking the person to wait (e.g., "Please hold while I retrieve your account information").

Common error

Avoid repeatedly saying "Please hold" without providing updates or reasons for the delay. This can frustrate the person waiting. Instead, offer periodic updates like "Thank you for your patience, I'm still looking into this for you."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please hold" primarily functions as an imperative, directing the listener to wait. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage, often in customer service or telecommunications contexts, confirming its role as a request for temporary suspension of activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please hold" is a very common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to politely ask someone to wait. Ludwig provides ample examples from diverse sources, including news media and business contexts, illustrating its wide applicability. While simple and direct, it's crucial to use the phrase judiciously, providing context and updates to avoid frustrating the listener. Alternatives like "Kindly wait a moment" or "Just a moment please" offer variations in formality and emphasis, allowing for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hold the line, please

Common telephone-specific alternative.

Kindly wait a moment

Polite alternative using "wait" instead of "hold" and adding formality.

Could you hold for a second?

Presents the request as a question.

One moment, please

Shorter, more concise request for a brief wait.

Please wait a second

Informal alternative suggesting a short delay.

Just a moment, please

Similar to "One moment, please" but slightly more casual.

Please wait while I...

More direct, often used when explaining the reason for the wait.

Bear with me a moment

Implies a slight inconvenience but requests patience.

Hang on a moment

Informal alternative for a short delay.

Allow me a moment

Formal, implies the speaker needs time to do something.

FAQs

How do I use "Please hold" in a phone conversation?

Use "Please hold" to politely ask someone to wait while you perform a task, such as transferring a call or retrieving information. For example: "Please hold while I transfer you to the correct department".

What's a more formal way to say "Please hold"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "Kindly wait a moment" or "Please allow me a moment".

Is it okay to use "Please hold" in an email?

While "Please hold" is primarily used in spoken communication, you can adapt it for email by saying "Please wait while I investigate" or "I'll look into this and get back to you".

What are some alternatives to "Please hold" that imply a short wait?

Alternatives that suggest a brief pause include "Just a moment please", "One moment please", or "Please wait a second".