is on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is on hold' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has been suspended for the time being and is awaiting further action. For example, "The project is on hold until the budget is approved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Life is on hold.

The New York Times

Europe the integrator is on hold.

The New York Times

"Everything is on hold," he said.

The New York Times

But the factory is on hold.

The New York Times

"Until then, everything is on hold".

The Economist

"Now everything is on hold".

The New York Times

"Everything is on hold now.

The New York Times

"The plan is on hold".

The New York Times

"The funding is on hold.

The New York Times

"The thing is on hold anyway".

The New York Times

"Everything is on hold," Mr. Marchetti said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is on hold" to clearly communicate that an action, decision, or project has been temporarily suspended and will be revisited later. Provide context on why it's on hold to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is on hold" if the suspension is indefinite or permanent. This phrase implies a temporary state, so choose alternatives like "abandoned" or "shelved" if the item is not expected to be resumed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is on hold" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating a temporary state of suspension or postponement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is on hold" effectively communicates a temporary state of suspension across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests it's best used when indicating a pause with the expectation of future resumption. To avoid ambiguity, it's crucial to provide context regarding the reason for the suspension and to choose alternative phrases like "is cancelled" or "is shelved" when describing indefinite or permanent cessations. This phrase, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, is widely accepted and readily understood, making it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is suspended

This alternative directly implies a temporary cessation, similar to "is on hold" but may suggest a more formal or official suspension.

is postponed

Focuses on delaying an event or action to a later time, differing from "is on hold" which may not have a specific future date.

is deferred

Implies a formal postponement, often used in academic or professional contexts, adding a layer of formality not always present in "is on hold".

is tabled

Suggests that a proposal or discussion has been put aside, often temporarily, for consideration at a later time.

is in abeyance

This alternative indicates a temporary inactivity or suspension, often used in legal or formal contexts.

is in limbo

Describes a state of uncertainty or suspension, often implying a lack of progress or resolution.

is mothballed

Implies that something (usually a project or equipment) is preserved in a state of readiness, but not currently in use, with the intention of being reactivated later.

is shelved

This phrase suggests that something has been put aside, possibly indefinitely, which can imply a longer-term suspension than "is on hold".

is on ice

Similar to "is on hold", suggesting a temporary suspension of activity or progress.

is stopped temporarily

Directly states a temporary cessation, emphasizing the temporary nature of the pause.

FAQs

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

You can use "is on hold" to indicate that something has been temporarily stopped or delayed. For example, "The project "is on hold" until further funding is secured".

What's a more formal way to say "is on hold"?

More formal alternatives include "is suspended" or "is deferred", which are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is "is on hold" appropriate for describing something permanently cancelled?

No, "is on hold" implies a temporary suspension. For permanent cancellations, use phrases like "is cancelled", "is abandoned", or "is terminated".

What's the difference between "is on hold" and "is postponed"?

"Is on hold" generally indicates a temporary stop without a specific new date, while "is postponed" implies a delay to a known future date. You might say "The meeting "is postponed" to next week", but "The decision "is on hold" pending further review".