ask for holding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ask for holding" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where someone is requesting to be put on hold, such as in a phone conversation or during a meeting. Example: "If you need to gather more information, feel free to ask for holding while I look it up."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A lot of our cases have been when agencies or letting agents ask for holding fees to pay before even moving in, which is not allowed.

The Guardian

Greinke gave the Dodgers about all they could ask for, holding the Cardinals to one run and six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If they are in fact offered, the company will ask for hold hearings, with witnesses and the opportunity to obtain government documents on the issue, before he makes his decision.

The New York Times

One option would let police in one nation ask for data held by a net firm in another, without having to ask for permission from that country's force.

BBC

Thank you for asking, and for holding the keys.

Huffington Post

For example, we always pick "fixer uppers" to date, we give up on dreams that involve too much perceived risk, we aren't good at asking for or holding onto money, we keep going back to our (food) addiction.

Huffington Post

Most parents are obliging in asking for photos, holding up their children to show that neon hippie vibes transcend generations.

Vice

Follow Chloe Caldwell on Twitter.

Vice

Government lawyers, who did not immediately ask for a hold after the Tuesday ruling, may have miscalculated how quickly the teen could receive an abortion.

The Washington Post

There were times, in his earlier years, when it seemed too much to ask for Nadal to hold up the trophy in New York.

The New York Times - Sports

Nicola Sturgeon has confirmed she will ask for permission to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "ask for holding", ensure the context clearly indicates you are requesting a temporary pause, especially in phone conversations. Using more common alternatives is advisable.

Common error

Avoid using "ask for holding" in formal contexts or when clarity is crucial. Opt for clearer alternatives like "request to be put on hold" to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ask for holding" functions as a request, typically implying a desire to temporarily pause or delay something. It's an action-oriented expression. According to Ludwig, its usage is infrequent, suggesting it's not a standard English construction.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ask for holding" is an infrequent and somewhat ambiguous expression. Ludwig AI suggests that its usage is not standard and may cause confusion. Grammatically acceptable, it functions as a request for a temporary pause. It's best reserved for informal contexts where the meaning is clear. For professional settings, alternatives such as "request to be put on hold" or "ask to pause the conversation" are recommended. Given its limited authoritative usage, it's crucial to consider clearer and more widely recognized alternatives to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request to be put on hold

More formal and common way to express the desire for a temporary pause in a phone conversation or meeting.

ask to pause the conversation

Directly requests a break in the ongoing discussion, emphasizing the temporary nature of the interruption.

request a hold

Shorter, more concise version, suitable for situations where brevity is preferred.

ask for a pause

Emphasizes a brief interruption, suitable for when a short break is needed.

request suspension

More formal, implying a temporary cessation of an activity or process.

ask to delay

Focuses on postponing something, rather than a general hold.

request a break

Implies a short rest or intermission, potentially less formal.

ask to wait

Requests someone to wait, often used when the asker needs time.

inquire about placing something on hold

More verbose and formal, suitable for inquiries or customer service contexts.

seek a temporary cessation

Highly formal and less common, emphasizing the temporary nature of stopping something.

FAQs

What does "ask for holding" mean?

The phrase "ask for holding" is not a standard English expression. It most likely means to request that something be put on hold or to ask for a temporary pause in a conversation or process. Consider using alternatives like "request to be put on hold" or "ask to pause the conversation".

Is "ask for holding" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "ask for holding" is not a common or widely recognized phrase. Standard English would prefer expressions like "request to be put on hold", which are clearer and more readily understood.

What can I say instead of "ask for holding"?

You can use alternatives like "request a hold", "ask to pause the conversation", or "request suspension" depending on the context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "ask for holding"?

The phrase "ask for holding" is best used in informal settings where the context makes the meaning clear. In professional or formal contexts, it's better to use clearer and more common alternatives such as "request to be put on hold" or "ask for a pause".