hold contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold contract" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English, specifically in the context of business or legal agreements. It refers to the act of keeping or maintaining a contract, whether it be a written document or an oral agreement. Example: The company agreed to hold the contract until the completion of the project, ensuring that all terms and conditions were met.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Lamoriello says he does not hold contract negotiations mid-season.

The New York Times

The club revealed only late last month that they planned to hold contract talks with the Scot in the new year.

Independent

Striker Craig Beattie plans to hold contract talks with Hearts to extend his stay at Tynecastle.

BBC

Lille are to hold contract talks with £35m-rated playmaker Eden Hazard, 21, who is wanted by both Manchester United and Manchester City.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

About 150 organizations that hold contracts with the city operate most of the homeless shelters.

The New York Times

Projects are on hold, contracts in limbo; everyone is waiting for something.

The New York Times

Two reports published by the NAO today found that, between them, these four biggest suppliers hold contracts with the Government that are worth around £4.5 billion.

Independent

The company also continues to hold contracts with the British government and other UK bodies for the recovery of several historic naval gunships and cargo vessels.

Independent

All of the school bus companies accused of paying bribes to Mr. Cremin and Mr. Sokol still hold contracts with the city, worth millions of dollars a year.

The New York Times

The law, which became binding on July 1, covers employees of most nonprofit and for-profit groups and agencies that hold contracts with the county.

The New York Times

The Oyster Bay law applies to companies that hold contracts with the town worth at least $50,000 and have 10 or more full-time employees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold contract", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean to maintain an existing contract or to postpone its execution. Clarity prevents potential misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "hold contract" always means to keep a contract active. It can also imply temporarily suspending a contract, so clarify the intended meaning in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold contract" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action performed on a contractual agreement. It is commonly used to describe the act of maintaining, possessing, or temporarily suspending a contract. Ludwig confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold contract" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe managing or maintaining a contractual agreement. Although Ludwig indicates its frequency is relatively rare, it appears across various contexts including news, science, and general information. As Ludwig also suggests, the specific meaning of "hold contract" can vary, implying either maintaining or temporarily suspending a contract, so context is key. Alternative phrases like "maintain a contract" or "retain a contract" can offer more precise meaning depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain a contract

Focuses on the ongoing aspect of keeping a contract active.

retain a contract

Emphasizes keeping possession of a contract.

have a contract in effect

Highlights the current validity of a contractual agreement.

possess a contract

Focuses on the legal right to a contract.

administer a contract

Shifts the focus to the active management of a contract.

keep a contract valid

Highlights the effort to maintain the contract's legal standing.

execute a contract

Highlights the actual implementation of a contract

honour a contract

Stresses the importance of fulfilling contract requirements.

fulfil a contract

Implies completing the obligations set forth in a contract.

uphold a contract

Underscores the commitment to support and enforce a contract.

FAQs

What does "hold contract" mean in legal terms?

In legal terms, "hold contract" can refer to maintaining the validity of an existing contract or temporarily suspending its execution pending certain conditions.

What are some alternatives to "hold contract"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain a contract", "retain a contract", or "uphold a contract" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "hold contract" in a sentence?

You can use "hold contract" in a sentence like, "The company decided to hold the contract until all legal issues were resolved."

Is "hold contract" formal or informal language?

"Hold contract" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives like "retain a contract" might be preferred in legal documents.