held for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was retained or kept in a particular state or condition for a certain period of time. Example: "The document was held for a while before being released to the public."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They both knew, everyone knew, someone who'd been taken in, held for a while, tortured perhaps, and then released.

The New Yorker

A tenuous ceasefire held for a while but in recent weeks rebels have resumed their offensive and dozens of civilians have been killed.

Independent

The truck was held for a while, but following the intervention of government officials a safe passage into Syria was granted.

The Guardian - Opinion

After the formal dances were stopped, it was renamed the Teddy Bear Disco for a short time and disco dances were held for a while.

The New York Times

They continued to a navy camp, where they were held for a while before being driven on to a school hall, arriving around 9pm on 6 July.

The Guardian

"I trimmed some of the positions I had held for a while and thought highly of because they had gotten too expensive," he said, mentioning real estate investment trusts and tobacco companies in particular.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

But it must hold for a while yet.

The Economist

"My husband asked me to sell; I wanted to hold for a while.

The New York Times

One can only hope that the 45-cent off-peak fare will hold for a while longer.

The New York Times

My Princeton colleague Dilip Abreu suggests paying ratings agencies with some of the securities they rate, which they would then have to hold for a while.

The New York Times

In the event, it took nearly 10 minutes of tense bidding, deftly steered by Tobias Meyer, for the prissy lady in the nude to climb to $69 million, setting a world record for Modigliani that is likely to hold for a while.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held for a while", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being held and the reason for the temporary retention. For example: "The decision was held for a while pending further investigation."

Common error

Avoid using "held for a while" without specifying what is being held. For instance, instead of "It was held for a while", specify "The package was held at customs for a while."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held for a while" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating a temporary state of possession or retention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It describes the action of keeping something for a certain duration.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held for a while" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates a temporary state of retention or possession. Ludwig confirms its usability across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is most frequently found in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly specify what is being held and the reason for its temporary status. Alternative phrases such as "kept temporarily" or ""retained for a short period"" can be used depending on the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retained for a short period

Highlights the limited duration of keeping something.

kept temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary nature of retaining something.

maintained briefly

Implies a short-term effort to keep something in a certain state.

detained briefly

Focuses on a short period of confinement or holding.

shelved temporarily

Indicates a temporary postponement or setting aside.

delayed momentarily

Suggests a brief pause or postponement.

suspended for a while

Focuses on the temporary cessation of something.

possessed for a limited time

Emphasizes ownership or control for a finite duration.

conserved for a spell

Uses a more informal term ("spell") to indicate a period of preservation.

preserved for a season

Uses a less specific, more figurative term ("season") for a period of preservation.

FAQs

What does "held for a while" mean?

The phrase "held for a while" means that something was kept or retained for a certain period of time, implying a temporary state. For example, an item might be temporarily stored or a decision might be temporarily postponed.

How can I use "held for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "held for a while" to describe something kept or retained temporarily. Example: "The shipment was "delayed momentarily" and "retained for a short period" at the warehouse because of the storm."

What can I say instead of "held for a while"?

Alternatives to "held for a while" include phrases like "kept temporarily", ""retained for a short period"", or ""delayed momentarily"", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to use "retained for a period" instead of "held for a while"?

Yes, "retained for a period" generally sounds more formal than "held for a while". "Held for a while" is more common in everyday conversation, while "retained for a period" is often used in professional or academic contexts.