on hold indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on hold indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that something is being postponed for an unknown amount of time, and it cannot be predicted when it will take place. For example: "The opening of the new store has been put on hold indefinitely due to the current pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Plans for a $600-million Lionsgate theme park outside Atlanta were put "on hold indefinitely" in December, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Los Angeles Times

ambitions on hold indefinitely, according to one person close to the matter who was not authorized to speak.

The New York Times

Now, Glossip's execution and all others in Oklahoma are on hold indefinitely while the state reviews its procedures, throwing uncertainty into one of the nation's last death-penalty strongholds.

Los Angeles Times

(That has been put on hold indefinitely).

The New York Times

The Israeli government today put that plan on hold, indefinitely.

The New York Times

Instead, state officials said Dozier's execution was on hold indefinitely.

The Washington Post

Operation Cumulus was put on hold indefinitely after the tragedy.

The Guardian

Filming was supposed to start this summer but has been put on hold indefinitely.

The Guardian - Film

We've put expansion plans to the UK on hold indefinitely and will focus efforts elsewhere".

The Guardian

The comments, made in a phone call, would seem to put the visit on hold indefinitely.

The Guardian

With all three members of the group in crisis, Run-DMC's touring and recording plans were put on hold indefinitely.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on hold indefinitely", ensure the context clearly explains why the action or project is delayed, as the phrase itself offers no specific reason.

Common error

Don't use "on hold indefinitely" without providing some context or reason for the suspension; otherwise, it can sound evasive or unclear. If possible, hint at potential future actions or conditions for reactivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on hold indefinitely" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner and duration of the action. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on hold indefinitely" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a situation where something is suspended for an unspecified duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is readily usable in written English. This phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media, as highlighted by Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples. While alternatives such as "postponed indefinitely" or "suspended without a definite timeline" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: a lack of a clear timeline for future action. When using the phrase, be sure to provide context to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponed indefinitely

Emphasizes the act of delaying something to a future unspecified date.

suspended without a definite timeline

Highlights the lack of a set timeframe for the activity's resumption.

shelved for the foreseeable future

Suggests the plan is unlikely to be revived in the near term.

in limbo

Implies uncertainty and a lack of progress or resolution.

in abeyance

A more formal term indicating temporary inactivity.

put on the back burner

Indicates a lower priority, leading to indefinite delay.

frozen indefinitely

Suggests a complete halt with no immediate plans to resume.

deferred without end

Highlights the continuous postponement without a specified endpoint.

tabled indefinitely

Often used in parliamentary or meeting contexts, indicating postponement.

in a state of suspended animation

A more dramatic way of saying something is inactive and awaiting revival.

FAQs

How to use "on hold indefinitely" in a sentence?

You can use "on hold indefinitely" to describe projects, plans, or activities that have been suspended for an unspecified duration. For example, "The project has been "put on hold indefinitely" due to funding issues."

What can I say instead of "on hold indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "postponed indefinitely", "suspended without a definite timeline", or "shelved for the foreseeable future depending on the context.

Is it better to say "on hold indefinitely" or "permanently canceled"?

"On hold indefinitely" implies a possibility of future resumption, while "permanently canceled" means the activity will not be restarted. The choice depends on the actual status and intent.

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

"On hold" suggests a temporary pause, while "on hold indefinitely" indicates the pause has no specified end date, implying a longer or more uncertain suspension. The indefinite nature is the key difference.