Please hold on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please hold on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to wait for a moment, often during a phone call or while providing assistance. Example: "Thank you for calling customer support. Please hold on while I check your account details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

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

The New Yorker

"But we've got this group that says [to the US]: 'Please don't let our hand go, please hold on to us'".

The Guardian

"Oh, mister, please hold on," Norwood says in footage from the family's security cameras, as he frantically tries to straighten the downed ladder and save the dangling dummy.

Vice

Please hold on to this thought and remember that you are strong enough to make it to the future.

Huffington Post

"Australia/New Zealand promoters ask ticket-holders to please hold on to their tickets until further notice.

The Guardian - Music

"I know how dark and endless that tunnel can feel," she wrote, "but if happiness seems impossible to find, please hold on to the possibility of hope, faint though it may be".

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Please hold for a hands-on.

TechCrunch

Rather than being "museum curiosities," he wrote, they would be able to come and go as they pleased, holding on to however much of the past they wanted.

The New York Times

Also (though I greatly appreciate it) please hold off on sending thank yous, just want to limit it to information/links or I'll be overloaded.

Huffington Post

Please hold your fire on this one, for a moment.

Huffington Post

If you have a myki please hold the myki card on the green myki reader until you hear a beep and see a green light to touch on.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Please hold on" when you need the person you are talking to on the phone to wait while you retrieve information or perform a task. It is a polite way to temporarily pause the conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "Please hold on" in extremely casual settings with close friends or family. Simpler phrases like "Hang on" or "Wait a sec" may be more appropriate and less formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please hold on" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to wait. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English. It's typically employed in scenarios where a momentary pause is required, often during phone calls or when providing assistance, as suggested in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

20%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Please hold on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used imperative phrase that politely asks someone to wait. Ludwig AI confirms it's valid in English. While versatile, it's most appropriate in neutral to professional settings, such as customer service interactions or business calls. Alternatives like "wait a moment" or "hold the line" can be used depending on the specific context. Overusing it in casual conversation can sound overly formal. Its widespread use across news media and various online platforms indicates its broad acceptability and understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Wait a moment

A general request to pause.

Hold on a second

Similar to "wait a moment", but slightly more informal.

Just a moment

Polite request for a brief pause.

Hold the line

More specific to telephone conversations.

Kindly wait

More formal and polite.

Pause for a moment

Emphasizes a temporary stop.

Bear with me

Implies the speaker needs time to complete a task.

Allow me a moment

Polite and indicates the speaker needs time.

Hang on

Very informal and casual.

Hold up

Informal, often used to stop an action.

FAQs

What does "Please hold on" mean?

The phrase "Please hold on" is a polite request for someone to wait, typically used in telephone conversations or when assisting someone in person. It indicates a temporary pause is needed before continuing.

What can I say instead of "Please hold on"?

You can use alternatives such as "wait a moment", "hold the line" (specifically for phone calls), or "just a second" depending on the context.

Is "Please hold" grammatically correct?

While "Please hold" is shorter, it's less polite than "Please hold on". The addition of "on" makes the request sound more considerate and less abrupt.

When is it appropriate to use "Please hold on"?

It's appropriate in customer service interactions, professional phone calls, or any situation where you need someone to wait briefly while you gather information or complete a task. It's a standard and polite way to ask for patience.