hold service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold service" is not commonly used in written English and may not be clear in meaning without context.
It could potentially be used in contexts related to maintaining or conducting a service, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The team will hold service for the upcoming event to ensure everything runs smoothly."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It hits the Serb square and Murray wins the point, going on to hold service.

Independent

Neither player could consistently hold service, and each made unforced errors.

The New York Times - Sports

Hrdlickova had trouble with her first serve and was able to hold service only twice.

The New York Times - Sports

DfID could, for example, provide technical assistance to help communities hold service providers to account, said Foster.

The Guardian

He led 4-0 in the second set before Stepanek came back to take a 6-5 lead, with Roddick needing to hold service to force a tie breaker.

The New York Times - Sports

He argued that the dissemination of false or harmful materials via open technologies should be counterbalanced by a legal "chilling effect", making it easier to issue takedown notices and hold service operators responsible for content.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Both hold services and small concerts.

The New York Times - Travel

Two other congregations hold services in former school buildings.

The New York Times

But she added, "we want to hold services daily".

The New York Times

Salt Lake residents hold services, parades, road races, festivals and fireworks.

The New York Times - Travel

Churches in the capital hold services in a number of languages spoken by domestic workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In religious contexts, it's generally more common to say "hold services", to clearly indicate religious ceremonies.

Common error

Avoid using "hold service" when a more specific verb like "conduct", "provide", or "maintain" would offer greater clarity. For example, instead of "We will hold service next week", consider "We will conduct a maintenance service next week" or "We will provide customer service next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold service" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "hold" acts as a verb taking "service" as its object. Ludwig examples show it used to describe the act of maintaining or providing services, as well as conducting religious ceremonies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold service" can be ambiguous, as noted by Ludwig AI, unless the context is clear. While grammatically acceptable, its meaning can vary from maintaining a technical service to conducting a religious ceremony. "Hold service" appears most frequently in news and media, science and formal business contexts. When writing, be precise, and consider alternatives like "conduct service", "provide service", or "maintain service" to avoid confusion. Always consider the specific context to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Conduct service

Replaces "hold" with "conduct", emphasizing the act of carrying out or performing a service.

Provide service

Focuses on the act of supplying or making a service available.

Maintain service

Highlights the ongoing effort to keep a service operational or functional.

Offer service

Emphasizes the availability of a particular service.

Deliver service

Focuses on the action of rendering or providing the service to a recipient.

Execute service

Implies a formal or procedural performance of the service.

Administer service

Stresses the management and supervision aspects of providing a service.

Render service

Highlights the act of giving or providing a service, often in a formal context.

Uphold service

Emphasizes the act of supporting or defending the standards of a service.

Orchestrate service

Suggests a careful and coordinated management of a service.

FAQs

What does "hold service" mean?

"Hold service" can refer to conducting or maintaining a specific service. It can also mean to "hold services" in a religious context.

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

You can use "hold service" to describe the act of providing or maintaining a service, such as "The company will hold service on the equipment". However, in many cases, alternatives such as "provide", "conduct" or "maintain" can be more precise.

What can I say instead of "hold service"?

You can use alternatives like "conduct service", "provide service", or "maintain service" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "hold service" or "hold services"?

"Hold service" is generally used in a technical or business context, referring to a singular service activity. "Hold services" is typically used in religious contexts, referring to multiple religious ceremonies.