on holding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on holding" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used in contexts where you are referring to something being held or maintained, but it is more common to see "on hold" instead. Example: "The project is currently on holding until we receive further instructions."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Holding on, holding on.

The New York Times

Do you plan on holding a large, one event bake-off?

WikiHow

I wasn't planning on holding back.

The New York Times - Books

We are planning on holding the tournament in June.

The New York Times

Successful publishing depended on holding the balance between the two.

The Guardian

First he has to focus on holding serve.

The Guardian - Sport

Perhaps he's focusing his energy on holding serve.

The Guardian - Sport

§ 3502.15 Are there any additional restrictions on holding leases or interests in leases?

Cornell University

Second, the hearings that Republicans in Congress insist on holding are no way to fix them.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile many hipsters make themselves digital documentarians first, intent on holding a video camera steady.

The New York Times

Tiffany also worked with an animal trainer, although she passed on holding a baby alligator.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To reduce ambiguity, replace "on holding" with clearer alternatives like "planning to hold", "focused on maintaining", or "regarding the act of holding" depending on the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "on holding" for "on hold". "On hold" typically means something is temporarily suspended, while "on holding" suggests an action is currently in progress or being considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on holding" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often indicating a state of retaining something or the intention of conducting an event. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase's usage can sometimes be unclear, necessitating alternative phrasing for enhanced clarity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

6%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "on holding" is a frequently used phrase that, according to Ludwig AI, may benefit from rephrasing in order to enhance clarity. Functioning as a prepositional phrase, it is commonly found in News & Media sources. The phrase can express intent, describe a current state, or emphasize a focus, maintaining a neutral register. For precision, especially in formal contexts, consider alternatives like "focused on maintaining" or "planning to hold" to avoid potential ambiguity. Keep in mind that “on holding” is different from “on hold”.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while holding

Specifies the action of holding is simultaneous with another action.

during holding

Indicates that something occurs during a period of holding.

upon holding

Suggests that an event happens immediately after the act of holding.

focused on holding

Emphasizes concentration or attention on the act of holding.

centered on holding

Highlights that something is primarily about the act of holding.

regarding holding

Refers to something concerning the act of holding.

concerning holding

Similar to 'regarding holding', indicating relevance to the act of holding.

pertaining to holding

Formally relates something to the act of holding.

with respect to holding

Introduces a specific aspect or consideration related to the act of holding.

in relation to holding

Positions something in connection or association with the act of holding.

FAQs

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

You can use "on holding" to describe the state of retaining something, like "The company is focused "on holding" its market share". However, consider alternatives like "focused on maintaining" or "intent on keeping" for clarity.

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

"On holding" suggests actively retaining something or being in the process of organizing something. "On hold", conversely, means something is temporarily suspended or delayed.

Are there situations where "on holding" is grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "on holding" can sound awkward or non-idiomatic in some contexts. Alternatives such as "focused on retaining" or "planning to hold" often provide clearer and more precise communication.

What phrases are similar to "on holding" when referring to an event?

When referring to an event, you can replace "on holding" with phrases like "planning to organize", "intending to host", or "scheduled to conduct" for better clarity.