a temporary stay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a temporary stay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a short-term residence or visit in a particular place, often in legal or hospitality contexts. Example: "The hotel offers a special rate for guests who require a temporary stay during their business trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An appeal has won him a temporary stay of deportation.

The New York Times

That is merely a temporary stay for Sparano, not clemency.

The New York Times - Sports

An appellate judge issued a temporary stay on Monday.

The Guardian

It was supposed to have been a temporary stay.

The New York Times

The appeals court granted the government a temporary stay on Friday.

The New York Times

With a temporary stay of execution, summer lasted one more hour.

The New York Times

On Feb. 26, the appeals court agreed, granting a temporary stay.

The New York Times

Late last week, a court issued a temporary stay to halt Jamal's deportation.

The New Yorker

Winning the Group Two Maktoum Challenge on Prince Bishop put a temporary stay on the decision.

The Guardian - Sport

A federal judge in Virginia issued a temporary stay on part of President Trump's immigration order.

The New York Times

The ACLU won a temporary stay from a federal judge in Brooklyn that same night.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a temporary stay" in legal contexts, ensure clarity by specifying the duration or conditions of the stay. For example, "a temporary stay of deportation until the appeal is heard".

Common error

Avoid using "a temporary stay" when describing permanent living situations. Instead, use terms like "residence", "home", or "domicile" to indicate a more permanent arrangement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a temporary stay" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "temporary" modifies the noun "stay". It indicates a limited duration of residence or presence. This is evidenced by Ludwig, which confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

18%

Sport

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a temporary stay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a short-term residence or visit. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct. Its primary function is to indicate the transient nature of a situation, often in contexts such as legal proceedings, travel, or accommodations. The phrase finds prevalence in news and media sources, along with academic writing, reflecting its broad applicability across various registers. Related phrases like "a short visit" or "a brief residence" can serve as suitable alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a short visit

Simple and direct, emphasizing the brief duration of the visit.

a short-term residence

Focuses on the residential aspect and brevity of the period.

a brief sojourn

Implies a journey or trip, emphasizing the temporary nature of the visit.

a fleeting visit

Highlights the quick and transient nature of the visit.

a provisional sojourn

Emphasizes that the stay is subject to change or confirmation.

a transient sojourn

Focuses on the movement from one place to another.

a respite

Highlights the break or relief provided by the stay, rather than the location itself.

a layover

Specifically refers to a brief stop during a journey.

a stopover

Emphasizes that it's a brief interruption during a journey.

an interim period

Focuses on the time aspect and its role as a transition.

FAQs

How can I use "a temporary stay" in a sentence?

You can use "a temporary stay" to describe a short-term residence or visit, such as "The refugees were granted "a temporary stay" in the shelter" or "The museum offered the painting "a temporary stay" while its usual gallery was renovated".

What are some alternatives to "a temporary stay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a short visit", "a brief residence", or "a transient visit".

Is it correct to use "temporary stay" without the article "a"?

While "temporary stay" is understandable, using the article "a" is grammatically correct and more common, especially when referring to a specific instance of a short-term residence.

What is the difference between "a temporary stay" and "a permanent residence"?

"A temporary stay" implies a short-term or non-permanent living arrangement, while "a permanent residence" indicates a long-term or indefinite place of abode.