hold until

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold until" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that something should continue until a certain time, or until something else happens. Example sentence: "Please hold until we have an available operator."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Is life on hold until then?

Independent

These rules hold until they don't.

The New Yorker

Will the pact hold until 2015?

The Guardian

But everything is on hold until the elections.

The New Yorker

"We're all kind of on hold until then".

The New York Times

But it will have to hold until tomorrow.

The New York Times

It'll probably hold until you get where you're going.

The New Yorker

The caller is put on hold until the call connects.

The New York Times

"I guess I'll put my plans on hold until then".

The New York Times

A further one in three had put their plans on hold until their finances improved.

Independent

Ms Rousseff has put most of her legislative plans on hold until relations improve.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold until", ensure the context clearly defines what is being held and the specific event or time that triggers the release or change. For example, "Hold the investment until the market stabilizes" provides a clear understanding.

Common error

A common mistake is using "hold until" without specifying a clear condition or timeframe. For example, instead of saying "Hold until later", specify "Hold until the meeting concludes" for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold until" primarily functions as a temporal marker, indicating the duration or condition that must be satisfied before a certain action or state changes. It connects an ongoing state with a future event. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this function across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold until" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that indicates continuation or suspension up to a specified time or event. As Ludwig AI points out, it's correct and usable in written English, conveying that something should continue until a particular moment. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse contexts, and while it's very common in News & Media, Wiki and Science, its use is less frequent in more formal settings. Remember to clearly define what is being held and the trigger event for clarity. Consider alternatives like "wait until" or "continue until" depending on the context's nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wait until

This alternative focuses on the act of waiting for something to happen.

continue until

This phrase stresses the continuation of an action or state up to a certain point.

remain valid until

This phrase emphasizes the validity or applicability of something up to a certain time.

stay in effect until

This alternative highlights the continuous operation or effectiveness of something.

last until

Focuses on the duration of something up to a specific time.

be suspended until

This alternative indicates a temporary interruption that lasts until a specific time.

stand by until

This option highlights the act of being prepared and ready to act when the time comes.

postponed until

Highlights the action of delaying something until a later time.

delayed until

Focuses on the act of delaying something until a later point.

in abeyance until

This phrase suggests a temporary state of suspension or inactivity.

FAQs

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

Use "hold until" to indicate that an action or state should continue or remain unchanged up to a specific time or event. For example, "The package will be held at the post office "until Monday"" or "The decision will be held "until the investigation is complete"".

What are some alternatives to "hold until"?

You can use alternatives like "wait until", "remain valid until", or "continue until" depending on the context.

Is "hold until" grammatically correct?

Yes, "hold until" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to indicate a duration or condition that must be met before something changes.

What is the difference between "hold until" and "wait for"?

"Hold until" implies maintaining a current state up to a certain point, whereas "wait for" simply means to remain inactive until something happens. The nuance lies in the active "holding" versus passive "waiting".