be withheld until

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be withheld until" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is to be kept back or not disclosed until a certain condition is met or a specific time arrives. Example: "The results of the investigation will be withheld until all parties have been notified."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

American approval of this war should be withheld until then.

The New York Times

It is unthinkable that mammograms should be withheld until the age of 50.

The New York Times

About twelve per cent of the money would be withheld until the eleven recommendations were meaningfully followed.

The New Yorker

To that end, I have sent a letter to the Chief Administrative Officer asking that my pay be withheld until the shutdown is resolved".

The New York Times

As dogs mature, jogging or walking on a lead can be introduced, but any forced exercise should be withheld until the dog is fully grown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

SIFMA, a securities-industry trade group, has asked for approval of Portal to be withheld until several "vague and incomplete" elements are clarified.

The Economist

Angry farmers have been petitioning the government in record numbers.For now, approvals for new golf courses are to be withheld until new regulations are issued.

The Economist

Investment bankers archly observe that judgments on which bit of the business is the casino ought to be withheld until the end of the credit cycle.

The Economist

Their relationship appears to have quickened further in the course of 1931 when Eliot wrote Hale 92 letters, which will, however, be withheld until 2020.

The Guardian - Books

Bush administration officials held a news conference to discuss the report but insisted that their comments be withheld until after its official release.

The New York Times - Science

Liaison officers of both sides have gone to the front line ready for the link, but news of it will be withheld until it has been firmly established.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be withheld until" when you want to clearly indicate that something should not be revealed or released before a specific condition is met or a certain time arrives. This phrase emphasizes a deliberate act of holding something back.

Common error

Avoid using similar words like "delayed" or "suspended" interchangeably without considering the context. "Withheld" implies a deliberate decision to hold something back, whereas "delayed" might suggest a postponement due to circumstances. Be sure to choose the word that best reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be withheld until" functions as a temporal constraint within a sentence. It indicates that an action, piece of information, or resource is deliberately kept back or not released until a specific condition is met or a particular time arrives. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be withheld until" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is deliberately kept back until a specific condition or time is met. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it conveys a neutral to formal tone. It's used to impose a restriction on the release or revelation of something. When writing, it's important to choose "withheld" carefully, understanding it implies a deliberate action, distinguishing it from similar words like "delayed" or "suspended". Alternatives like "be deferred until" or "be suspended until" offer subtle variations in meaning depending on the context. Top authoritative sources for this phrase include The New York Times, The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be deferred until

Replaces "withheld" with "deferred", emphasizing a postponement to a later time.

be suspended until

Substitutes "withheld" with "suspended", suggesting a temporary stoppage.

be delayed until

Replaces "withheld" with "delayed", focusing on the action of postponing.

be held back until

Uses "held back" instead of "withheld", providing a more informal alternative with similar meaning.

not be released until

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the act of releasing, with a negative constraint.

be kept secret until

Emphasizes the secrecy aspect until the specified time.

be restricted until

Focuses on the restriction aspect, implying limitations until a condition is met.

not be disclosed until

Highlights the act of disclosure being postponed.

be embargoed until

Uses "embargoed" which implies a formal prohibition until a certain time.

be shelved until

Suggests putting something aside, not actively working on it until a later point.

FAQs

How can I use "be withheld until" in a sentence?

The phrase "be withheld until" indicates that something will not be revealed or released before a specific condition is met. For example, "The information will "be withheld until" the investigation is complete."

What are some alternatives to "be withheld until"?

You can use alternatives like "be deferred until", "be suspended until", or "be delayed until" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be withheld until" instead of "be delayed until"?

"Be withheld until" is best used when the act of holding something back is deliberate. "Be delayed until" simply implies a postponement, not necessarily intentional withholding. For example: "The payment will "be withheld until" the project is finished" implies a contractual condition. "The payment will be delayed until next week" indicates a logistical issue.

Is there a more formal way to express "be withheld until"?

While "be withheld until" is already quite formal, you could use phrases like "not be disclosed until" or "be restricted until" for an even more elevated tone, particularly in legal or official contexts.