has been stayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been stayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that a court order or proceeding has been temporarily halted or suspended. Example: "The execution of the sentence has been stayed pending the outcome of the appeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The decision has been stayed.

The New York Times

Mr. Davis's execution has been stayed three times.

The New York Times

That ruling has been stayed while the government appeals.

The New York Times

(The ban has been stayed while under appeal).

The New York Times - Tech

Implementation of the ruling has been stayed pending appeals.

The Economist

His decision has been stayed pending the government's appeal.

The New York Times

(The ruling has been stayed while the Supreme Court considers the case).

The New York Times

"The suspension has been stayed pending any decision regarding an appeal.

Independent

The ruling on the 1986 statute has been stayed while the government weighs an appeal.

The Washington Post

The case has been stayed as the larger Enron case continues.

The New York Times

On May 8, the death warrant was canceled, and the relator's execution has been stayed pending completion of these proceedings.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a delay, consider whether "has been stayed" accurately reflects the situation, as it usually implies a formal or legal suspension, unlike alternatives like "postponed" or "delayed".

Common error

Avoid using "has been stayed" in informal contexts or when a simple delay is meant. This phrase is generally reserved for situations with legal or official suspensions; using it otherwise can sound overly formal or incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been stayed" functions as a passive perfect construction, indicating that an action or ruling has been temporarily halted. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is often employed in formal, particularly legal contexts, to describe the suspension of a process pending further developments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Academia

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0.5%

Wiki

0.3%

Encyclopedias

0.2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been stayed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily in legal and formal settings. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, noting its typical usage in contexts where a ruling or action has been temporarily suspended. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, but also appears in Academia. When writing, it is crucial to reserve this phrase for scenarios involving official or legal suspensions, avoiding its use in more casual contexts where simpler terms like "postponed" or "delayed" would be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "has been suspended" or "has been held in abeyance" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been held in abeyance

More formal and legalistic, akin to 'stayed' in its implication of temporary suspension pending further action.

has been suspended

Indicates a temporary cessation, similar to 'stayed', but can apply more broadly than just legal contexts.

has been adjourned

Typically used for formal meetings or legal proceedings that are temporarily paused.

has been postponed

Emphasizes a delay to a later time, closely aligned with the temporary nature of 'stayed'.

has been put on hold

Suggests a temporary interruption, less formal than 'stayed' but conveying a similar sense of suspension.

has been deferred

Implies postponement to a future date, maintaining the sense of delay inherent in 'stayed'.

has been put in suspense

Similar to 'stayed', conveying a sense of uncertainty and temporary inactivity.

has been shelved temporarily

Indicates the action is not proceeding but can be revived later, highlighting the temporary aspect.

is temporarily inactive

Focuses on the current state of inactivity, aligning with the effect of a stay.

has been frozen

Suggests a halt to activity, similar to 'stayed' but often used in financial or administrative contexts.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been stayed"?

When a ruling or action "has been stayed", it means its implementation has been temporarily suspended, usually pending further legal proceedings such as an appeal.

How is "has been stayed" different from "has been suspended"?

"Has been stayed" typically refers to a formal legal suspension, while "has been suspended" can be used more broadly for any kind of temporary interruption.

What are some alternatives to saying a ruling "has been stayed"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "has been postponed", "has been put on hold", or "has been deferred".

What happens after a ruling "has been stayed"?

After a ruling "has been stayed", the original order is temporarily inactive. The matter usually awaits further review, such as an appeal, which will determine whether the stay is lifted or becomes permanent.