hold patience

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold patience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as an exhortation or command to someone to be patient and wait, usually in a difficult or challenging situation. For example, "Just hold patience and the storm will pass."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since our last letter, 10 prior recommendations have either reached their sell targets or, in the case of two, our holding "patience limit" of three months.

Forbes

More doors seemed to be held, more patience behind the wheel, more assistance offered for a multitude of little things.

Huffington Post

According to Luke, Jesus holds no patience with our assessment of who counts and who does not.

Huffington Post

Only quiet negotiation and patience hold promise.

The New Yorker

One day they still surely get it, but will their patience hold out while the space engineers spend the next decade consolidating what Armstrong and Aldrin achieved in 27 hours?

The Economist

Hold onto your patience and remember that not every kid learns material the same way!

WikiHow

Have patience?

The Guardian - Opinion

Have patience, patience, and more patience.

WikiHow

But political analysts wonder how long their patience will hold as austerity measures punish the most indebted countries and their pared-back spending pulls down even the Continent's healthier economies.

The New York Times

Mr. Bush's trickiest job will be to balance "zero tolerance" with shrewd patience, to hold the Security Council together and to hold Mr. Blix's feet to the fire, to be both good cop and bad cop.

The New York Times

It's the psychological barriers to action that are more formidable, which is the reason why hackerspaces hold lock-picking workshops: patience and application can open a lock as surely as a key can.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "hold patience" is understandable, consider using more common alternatives such as "have patience" or "be patient" for improved clarity and naturalness in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "hold patience" in highly formal contexts where more sophisticated language is expected. Opt for alternatives like "exercise forbearance" or "demonstrate composure" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold patience" functions as an imperative or exhortation, urging someone to maintain a calm and steadfast attitude during a period of waiting or difficulty. Ludwig AI validates its understandability, though it notes the phrase is less common than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold patience" serves as an encouragement to remain calm and steadfast during times of waiting or hardship. Although grammatically correct, Ludwig AI notes that it is less common than alternatives such as "have patience" or "be patient". It is generally suitable for informal to neutral contexts; however, in more formal settings, phrases like "exercise forbearance" or "maintain composure" may be more appropriate. While understandable, writers should be mindful of the context and consider more frequently used alternatives for enhanced clarity and naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be patient

A simple imperative form directly instructing someone to have patience.

have patience

A more standard and common way of expressing the possession of patience.

keep patience

Similar in meaning, but less common than "have patience".

exercise patience

Focuses on the act of actively using patience as a skill or virtue.

show forbearance

Suggests demonstrating tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation.

maintain composure

Emphasizes keeping a calm and controlled demeanor, especially under pressure.

practice restraint

Emphasizes the act of controlling one's actions and emotions.

remain calm

Highlights the importance of staying peaceful and unruffled.

await patiently

Highlights the act of waiting calmly and without complaint.

keep your cool

An informal way of advising someone to stay calm and not get angry.

FAQs

What does "hold patience" mean?

"Hold patience" means to remain calm and steadfast while waiting for something, especially in a trying or difficult situation. It implies enduring with a composed attitude.

What's a more common way to say "hold patience"?

More common alternatives to "hold patience" include "have patience" or "be patient", which are more frequently used and generally preferred.

Is "hold patience" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hold patience" is grammatically understandable, but it's not as common or idiomatic as "have patience". While not incorrect, it might sound slightly unusual to native English speakers.

When is it appropriate to use "hold patience"?

While "hold patience" can be used in various contexts, it's generally suitable for informal situations. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "exercise forbearance" or "maintain composure".