hold a plan

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a plan" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to have or possess a specific plan or idea in mind. Example: I have been holding a plan to surprise my partner with a romantic trip to Paris for our anniversary. or It's important for us to hold a plan in case of an emergency situation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Soon after the Kmart filing, Mr. Cooper announced he would postpone what might be called his semi-retirement in order to handle day-to-day affairs until the Kmart crisis was over, putting on hold a plan to make the company's chief investment officer, David B. Henry, the chief executive sometime this year.

The New York Times

It also put on hold a plan to give preference in government procurement to products with intellectual property first registered in China.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

It wanted the Welsh government to call in the plans and to hold a planning inquiry.

BBC

The provost, for example, will probably hold a planning retreat with deans and other academic administrators.

Huffington Post

Last week, defense chiefs from some of the 15 nations in the group held a planning session in Nigeria.

The New York Times

In October, Obrist travelled to New York, and while he was there he held a planning meeting about "89plus" at a café in Greenwich Village.

The New Yorker

We held a planning meeting, put out the word and more than 30 people showed up the first night.

Huffington Post

She decided to hold a business plan competition at the suggestion of another nonprofit in New Orleans, IdeaVillage, which is dedicated to accelerating innovation in the area.

The New York Times

Also, age is significant at the 5 % level for the decision to hold a pension plan.

SERIEs

He came back holding a floor plan dated 1854.

The New York Times - Travel

Mrs. Lincoln just canceled a plan to hold a fund-raising lunch at Goldman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold a plan" when you want to convey that someone is keeping a particular strategy or intention in mind, especially when facing uncertainty or potential changes.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a plan" when a simpler phrase like "have a plan" or "possess a plan" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hold a plan" is as a verb phrase where "hold" functions as a transitive verb taking "a plan" as its direct object. The phrase signifies the act of possessing or maintaining a particular strategy or intention, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold a plan" is a grammatically correct phrase used to convey the idea of possessing or maintaining a specific strategy or intention. While not as common as alternatives like "have a plan", it suggests readiness and preparedness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase can be used in written English. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, and less so in academic or encyclopedic contexts. It's best used when you want to emphasize the active retention of a strategy, particularly in the face of uncertainty or potential change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a plan

More direct and common way of expressing possession of a plan.

possess a plan

Emphasizes ownership or control of the plan.

maintain a plan

Focuses on the act of keeping a plan active and updated.

retain a plan

Highlights the act of not abandoning or changing a plan.

stick to a plan

Suggests adherence and commitment to a particular plan.

keep to a plan

Similar to 'stick to a plan', emphasizes loyalty to a plan.

adhere to a plan

More formal way of expressing commitment to a plan.

uphold a plan

Suggests defending and supporting a plan against challenges.

cherish a plan

Implies a sentimental or emotional attachment to a plan.

nurture a plan

Metaphorically expresses the act of developing and fostering a plan.

FAQs

What does "hold a plan" mean?

The phrase "hold a plan" signifies possessing or maintaining a specific strategy or intention, often with the implication of being prepared to act on it when necessary.

How can I use "hold a plan" in a sentence?

You can use "hold a plan" to indicate that someone has a strategy in mind, such as, "It's crucial to "have a plan" and "hold a plan" for unexpected events during the project."

Is there a difference between "have a plan" and "hold a plan"?

While similar, "hold a plan" often implies a more deliberate or reserved approach compared to simply "have a plan". "Hold a plan" suggests readiness and preparedness to implement it.

What are some alternatives to "hold a plan"?

Alternatives include phrases like "possess a plan", "maintain a plan", or "retain a plan", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.