on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"on hold" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to when something is delayed or paused temporarily. For example, "The project has been put on hold until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Delayed or postponed projects

Telephone calls

Reserved items

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hold on, hold on".

The New York Times

Any celebration must be put on hold.

Independent

But I am put on hold.

The New Yorker

They cannot safely be put on hold.

The Economist

Chorus Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on.

Huffington Post

"Paola, hold on, hold on, hold on".

Vice

Reporters waited on hold.

The New York Times - Sports

Life is on hold.

The New York Times

Hour on hold.

The New York Times

Everything was on hold".

The New York Times

Reforms went on hold.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on hold", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is causing the delay. For example, "The decision is on hold pending further investigation" provides more clarity than simply "The decision is on hold".

Common error

Avoid assuming that something "on hold" is permanently canceled. The phrase implies a temporary state, so be clear if the intention is to discontinue something entirely; in this case, other alternatives may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on hold" primarily functions as an adjective phrase. It modifies nouns to indicate a state of temporary suspension or postponement. This is evident in the examples Ludwig provides, such as "Life is on hold" or "Reforms went on hold". Ludwig AI confirms this is a commonly used phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on hold" is a versatile adjective phrase widely used to indicate that something is temporarily suspended or delayed. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage in written English. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various communication contexts. When using "on hold", it's important to provide context regarding the reason for the delay. While effective, alternatives like "suspended", "delayed", and "pending" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponed

Indicates a delay to a later time; more formal than "on hold".

delayed

A general term for something being late or held back.

suspended

Suggests a temporary interruption, often implying a formal decision.

pending

Awaiting a decision or resolution.

shelved

Implies a project is put aside, possibly indefinitely.

tabled

Formally put aside for future consideration, often in a meeting context.

in abeyance

A formal term meaning temporarily inactive or suspended.

in limbo

Suggests a state of uncertainty and indefinite delay.

in reserve

Held back for later use or a specific purpose.

in cold storage

Figuratively means something is being kept unused for a long time.

FAQs

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

You can use "on hold" to indicate that something is temporarily stopped or delayed, as in "The project is "on hold" until we receive more funding".

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

"On hold" generally implies a temporary suspension without a specific future date, while "postponed" suggests a delay to a later, often specified, time. Postponed is more formal than "on hold".

Are there alternatives to saying "on hold"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "suspended", "delayed", or "pending".

Is it correct to say "put on hold"?

Yes, "put on hold" is a common and correct usage. It means to cause something to be delayed or suspended. For example, "The company put the hiring process "on hold"".