hold on

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to ask someone to wait a moment or to pause before continuing. For example, "Hold on a sec, let me just finish writing this."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hold on, hold on".

The New York Times

Yeah, hold on, hold on, hold on.

The New York Times

Hold on, you're thinking.

The New York Times - Books

"I said: 'Hold on!

The New York Times

"Hold on," she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Hold on," he says.

The New Yorker

"Hold on," you say.

The New York Times

Hold on, Anna!

The New Yorker

"Hold on," Gore said.

The New Yorker

"Hold on tight, Liz.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Holding on, holding on.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold on" to politely ask someone to wait briefly during a conversation or task.

Common error

Avoid using "hold on" in formal documents where more professional alternatives like "please wait" or "allow me a moment" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold on" primarily functions as an interjection or imperative, used to request a pause or delay. Ludwig AI shows it's frequently used in conversational contexts to ask someone to wait briefly.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold on" is a versatile expression primarily used to request a pause or offer encouragement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While generally neutral to informal, it's best to avoid using "hold on" in highly formal contexts, opting for more professional alternatives. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media, and less frequent use in scientific and academic writing. Its adaptability makes it a valuable part of everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait a moment

This alternative provides a direct and simple way to ask someone to pause briefly.

just a second

Similar to "wait a moment", this phrase is used to request a short delay.

hang on a minute

A more informal variant of "hold on", also requesting a brief pause.

bear with me

Implies asking for patience while you handle something.

wait up

This phrase is often used to ask someone to stop moving or to slow down.

grip firmly

This refers to the literal meaning of holding something tightly to maintain physical control.

keep a firm grasp

Similar to "grip firmly", emphasizing a secure hold.

stay strong

This is a figurative way to encourage persistence and resilience.

don't give up

An encouragement to continue trying and not surrender.

persevere

A formal way of saying to continue despite difficulties.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold on" to ask someone to wait, as in, "Hold on, I'll be right back", or to encourage someone to persevere, such as, "Hold on, things will get better".

What can I say instead of "hold on" when asking someone to wait?

Alternatives include phrases like "wait a moment", "just a second", or "please wait".

Is "hold on" appropriate in formal writing?

While "hold on" is commonly used in spoken English, it's generally better to use more formal alternatives like "please wait" or "allow me a moment" in formal writing.

What does it mean when someone says "hold on tight"?

Saying "hold on tight" usually means to brace yourself, either literally, as in preparing for a bumpy ride, or figuratively, as in preparing for a difficult or challenging situation.