held in abeyance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held in abeyance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe when something is waiting to be decided or finalized, often after being suspended for a period of time. For example, "The court case has been held in abeyance until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Judgment was held in abeyance.

The New Yorker

Feuds were held in abeyance.

The New York Times

"I think it should be held in abeyance," Ms. Feinstein said.

The New York Times

(Also, as long as one is still in school, the undergraduate loan is held in abeyance).

The New York Times

In truth, the real potential for harm is to gay service members if the injunction is held in abeyance.

The New York Times

Katniss, at a decisive moment, is a mere observer, her skills held in abeyance in anticipation of later opportunity.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Third, the faddish preoccupation means holding in abeyance many routine activities as well as awareness of drawbacks to the fads.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Within limits, if an athlete thinks a certain pace is possible, he or she can draw on an energy reserve that the brain usually holds in abeyance.

The New York Times - Health

The groups urged the president to "hold in abeyance" cases currently under consideration by federal immigration authorities of United States citizens who are seeking permanent resident visas, known as green cards, for immigrants of the same sex they legally married.

The New York Times

However, since the nation's debt is our debt, such a course would only temporarily hold in abeyance the eventual de-leveraging process.

Forbes

It is most likely to be the case that all we have accomplished is to hold in abeyance the eventual pain involved with deleveraging.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held in abeyance" to indicate a temporary suspension of a process, decision, or activity. It suggests a planned future resumption or resolution, distinguishing it from a permanent cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "held in abeyance" when you actually mean something has been permanently stopped or dismissed. "Held in abeyance" implies a future review or continuation, not a final conclusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held in abeyance" functions as a verbal phrase, often used as part of a passive construction. According to Ludwig AI, this indicates a state where something is temporarily suspended or postponed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held in abeyance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the temporary suspension or postponement of something, with the expectation of future resumption or resolution. While it appears in various contexts, it is most common in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. When using the phrase, be careful not to confuse it with permanent dismissal, and consider using simpler alternatives like "suspended temporarily" or "put on hold" depending on your audience and the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspended temporarily

Replaces "held in abeyance" with a more straightforward description of temporary suspension.

postponed indefinitely

Focuses on the indefinite nature of the postponement, suggesting the action is delayed without a set date for resumption.

put on hold

Offers a more informal and widely understood alternative for a temporary suspension.

shelved for the moment

Suggests the action has been set aside, possibly with the intention of revisiting it later.

deferred to a later date

Emphasizes the deferral aspect, indicating the action will be considered at some point in the future.

tabled for now

Implies the action has been put aside during a meeting or discussion, possibly for future consideration.

kept in a pending state

Focuses on the state of being pending, emphasizing that the matter is unresolved.

frozen temporarily

Suggests the action is halted, like something frozen in place and time.

in a state of limbo

Highlights the uncertain and unresolved nature of the situation.

on ice

An informal term meaning something has been temporarily stopped or delayed.

FAQs

How can I use "held in abeyance" in a sentence?

You can use "held in abeyance" to describe a situation where something is temporarily suspended or postponed. For example, "The decision was "put on hold" and is now being held in abeyance until further information is available."

What's a simple way to rephrase "held in abeyance"?

Simpler ways to rephrase "held in abeyance" include "suspended temporarily", "postponed indefinitely", or simply "put on hold". Choose the alternative that best fits the context.

Is it correct to say something is "held in abeyance permanently"?

No, saying something is "held in abeyance permanently" is contradictory. "Held in abeyance" implies a temporary suspension, while "permanently" suggests a final state. Consider using alternatives like "terminated" or "cancelled" for permanent situations.

What's the difference between "held in abeyance" and "shelved"?

"Held in abeyance" implies a temporary pause with the potential for future action, while "shelved" suggests something has been set aside, possibly for a long time, with less certainty of being revisited. To say the project was "shelved for the moment".