be held back until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held back until" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be delayed or not allowed to proceed until a certain condition is met or a specific time arrives. Example: "The project will be held back until we receive the necessary funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Reports here say that loan money may be held back until at least November.

The Guardian

This second piece of proposed legislation will be held back until the first has been agreed.

The Guardian

Like that series, "The Following" could be held back until January and then allowed to run without interruption.

The New York Times

We do believe that some stories should be held back until sources can be tightened and more fully disclosed.

The New York Times

The government has "committed that if this is not available for publication by the end of February, it will be held back until after the election," he said.

The Guardian

He is set to pitch Tuesday against Washington and, after that, could be held back until an interleague series against the Yankees from Sept. 18-20.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

But others are said to be holding back until the bill's implications become clearer.

The Economist

Shoppers may be holding back until the good times return or the discounts get deep enough, whichever comes first.

The New York Times

Even with the Federal Reserve chairman, Alan Greenspan, reiterating his bullish economic outlook on Capitol Hill, many investors seemed to be holding back until next week's jobs and payroll reports, which are expected to give a clearer picture of the economic recovery.

The New York Times

She might be holding back until more males arrive, either so that she can find a better father or simply to ensure that her eggs are fertilised by multiple males.

BBC

North Korean officials appear to be holding back until Kim faces off with Trump, believing they can get the best deal out of a president with a history of rejecting advice from advisors and making decisions based on his gut, people familiar with the talks say.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be held back until" to clearly indicate a condition that must be satisfied before an action or event can proceed. Ensure the condition is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be held back until" with vague or unspecified conditions. Always provide a clear and measurable criterion for when the action will proceed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held back until" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is intentionally delayed or postponed. As supported by Ludwig, it specifies a condition or point in time that must occur before the action can proceed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be held back until" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates something will be delayed until a certain condition is met. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to communicate a conditional delay in a neutral register. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify precise conditions for the action to proceed. Alternative phrases like "be delayed until" or "be postponed until" can be used, although "be held back until" effectively conveys the intended meaning. In summary, according to Ludwig, this phrase is a reliable and practical choice for expressing a conditional delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be delayed until

This alternative directly replaces "held back" with "delayed", maintaining a similar meaning of postponement.

be postponed until

This alternative uses "postponed" instead of "held back", emphasizing a formal rescheduling of an event or action.

be deferred until

This alternative replaces "held back" with "deferred", suggesting a more formal or official postponement.

be suspended until

This alternative implies a temporary cessation, where the action is stopped until a condition is met.

be reserved until

This suggests something is kept aside for a specific time or purpose, not available until then.

be retained until

This alternative means something is kept or maintained in its current state until a certain point.

be kept in abeyance until

This phrase suggests something is temporarily inactive or suspended.

be shelved until

This indicates something is put aside, possibly indefinitely, until certain conditions change.

be put on ice until

This is an idiom meaning to delay something, often with no specific timeframe.

be on hold until

This alternative is a common idiom indicating a temporary suspension or delay.

FAQs

How can I use "be held back until" in a sentence?

You can use "be held back until" to indicate that something will be delayed until a specific condition is met. For example, "The project will "be held back until" we receive funding."

What is a synonym for "be held back until"?

Synonyms include "be delayed until", "be postponed until", or "be deferred until", each carrying slight nuances of meaning depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "held back until"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The passive form "be held back until" is commonly used to express that something is intentionally delayed. The auxiliary verb "be" is required in such construction.

What is the difference between "be held back until" and "be released after"?

"Be held back until" implies a deliberate delay until a condition is met, while "be released after" simply indicates a point in time following an event. For example, "The report will "be held back until" the investigation is complete" versus "The report will "be released after" the meeting".