Please stand by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please stand by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to wait or hold on for a moment, often in situations where there is a delay or interruption. Example: "We are experiencing technical difficulties. Please stand by while we resolve the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Please stand by".

The New Yorker

Please Stand By.

The New Yorker

Please stand by... ...... the show's official Twitter account posted this morning.

Independent

Please stand by for more amazing NFL playoff football.... Updated at 9.16pm GMT.

The Guardian - Sport

"Please stand by us," Justin's mother pleaded in an e-mail to school administrators, who ultimately reinstated the program's teaching assistants.

The New York Times

"Please Stand By," which appeared on Mr. Osby's last Blue Note release, in 2005, featured an Eastern-tinged chant over a one-chord vamp, evoking the frontier era of fusion.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Recorded voices announced to sealed-off platforms as trains passed by: "Please stand aside and let passengers off first!" All three major airports in the region -- Newark, La Guardia and Kennedy -- had permission to start to accept incoming flights yesterday evening, but only planes that had been diverted to Canada on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Please stand for the Welsh national anthem Sung by Katherine Jenkins, the thinking man's Charlotte Church.

The Guardian - Sport

He had concluded by grabbing a guitar and asking the crowd to "please stand for our national anthem".

Huffington Post

"Please stand down.

The Guardian

Jamie Dimon, please stand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Please stand by" when you anticipate a short delay and want to reassure the audience that something is being addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "Please stand by" for prolonged or indefinite delays. If the wait is longer than expected, provide updates or a more specific timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please stand by" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to wait. It's a polite way of asking for patience during a temporary pause or interruption. Ludwig examples show its use in both formal announcements and informal updates, according to Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

13%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Please stand by" is a common and grammatically correct imperative used to request patience during a temporary delay. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse scenarios. It is versatile enough for professional use, particularly in News & Media, and also applicable in informal communications. While effective for short pauses, avoid overusing it during extended waits and always provide updates if a delay extends. Alternatives like "please hold on" or "kindly wait" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. Usage patterns indicate its frequent presence in news outlets and wikis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please hold on

This is a direct and simple alternative, often used in phone conversations.

Kindly wait

This option adds a touch of politeness and formality.

Hold the line

Typically used in telephone contexts, asking someone to remain connected.

Bear with us

Implies a temporary inconvenience and asks for patience.

Just a moment

Indicates a very short wait time.

One moment please

A slightly more formal version of "Just a moment".

Wait a second

Indicates a brief pause.

Hang on a moment

An informal way of asking someone to wait briefly.

Await further instructions

Used when waiting for the next step or command.

Please be patient

Directly requests patience, acknowledging a potential delay.

FAQs

What does "Please stand by" mean?

The phrase "Please stand by" means to wait or hold on for a moment. It's often used when there is a brief interruption or delay, and you're asking someone to remain patient.

What can I say instead of "Please stand by"?

You can use alternatives like "please hold on", "kindly wait", or "just a moment" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "Please stand by"?

It is appropriate to use "Please stand by" when you expect a brief delay and want to inform someone that you'll be with them shortly. This is commonly used during technical issues, announcements, or when transitioning between tasks.

Is "Please stand by" formal or informal?

The phrase "Please stand by" is generally considered neutral in tone. It's suitable for most situations, but alternatives like "kindly wait" might be preferred in very formal settings.