is shelved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is shelved" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a project, idea, or plan has been put on hold or postponed. Example: "The proposal for the new marketing strategy is shelved until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Virtually every book at Target is shelved face out.

The New York Times - Books

It will be interesting to see which center is shelved when Drury returns.

The New York Times - Sports

(The idea is shelved when he hears unfavourable reports about the clinic).

The Guardian - Books

At times he wanders up to the library's sun-filled, unpopulated top floor, where all the literature is shelved.

The New Yorker

Moreover, even if this underlying worry is shelved, there are further perplexities about testing scientific theories of consciousness.

The Economist

Even if draft bill is shelved in the weeks ahead, rampant homophobia in Uganda won't go away.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Mercifully, it was shelved.

The Guardian - Opinion

The plans were shelved.

The New York Times

The study was shelved.

The New York Times

Yesterday, the project was shelved.

Independent

But the plan was shelved.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternatives like "is put on hold" or "is postponed" when seeking synonyms with a similar connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "is shelved" if the intention is to convey that something has been completely abandoned or canceled. Use stronger terms like "is abandoned" or "is discarded" instead to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is shelved" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject has been put on hold or temporarily set aside. Ludwig confirms its proper usage through numerous examples of the phrase appearing in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is shelved" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that indicates a temporary suspension or postponement of a plan, project, or idea. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news and media, science, and business contexts. While it's generally considered neutral in register, stronger terms may be needed if the intention is to communicate permanent cancellation. Using alternatives like "is put on hold" or "is postponed" can provide nuance depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is put on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension, similar to being shelved.

is postponed

Emphasizes the action of delaying something to a later time.

is suspended

Suggests a temporary interruption, often with the possibility of resumption.

is deferred

Implies a formal postponement to a specific future date or event.

is tabled

Means to postpone discussion or consideration of something.

is set aside

Suggests reserving something for future use or consideration but with a nuance of side-lining it.

is abandoned

Indicates a complete cessation of effort, a stronger term than shelved.

is discarded

Implies that something is rejected or thrown away, differing from temporary shelving.

is pigeonholed

Suggests categorizing and setting aside, often with a negative connotation that it might be forgotten.

is mothballed

Indicates putting something into storage, often a large project or piece of equipment, for a long or indefinite period.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "is shelved"?

When a plan, project, or idea "is shelved", it means that it has been put on hold or postponed, often with the possibility of being reconsidered or resumed at a later time. It's not necessarily a permanent cancellation.

How to use "is shelved" in a sentence?

You can use "is shelved" to indicate that something has been temporarily put aside. For example: "The proposal for the new marketing campaign "is shelved" until further notice."

What can I say instead of "is shelved"?

You can use alternatives like "is put on hold", "is postponed", or "is tabled" depending on the context.

Is "is shelved" formal or informal language?

"Is shelved" is generally considered neutral and acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "is deferred" might be preferred in certain professional settings.