on standby

USAGE SUMMARY

"on standby" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which something is ready to be used, but is not being used at the moment. For example: "The fire extinguishers are on standby in case of an emergency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Warplanes were also in the vicinity, "on standby").

The New Yorker

Reinforcements better be on standby.

The New York Times

The police were on standby".

Independent

"We're on standby," he said.

The New York Times

A snack on standby!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Police were on standby.

The Washington Post

"We have 20 guys on standby.

Independent

Meanwhile, personal injury lawyers are on standby.

The New York Times

"We would have had personnel on standby".

The New York Times

"Until then, I'm on standby".

The New York Times

"We're kind of on standby.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on standby" to clearly indicate that something or someone is ready and available for immediate use or action. This avoids ambiguity about their operational status.

Common error

Avoid using "stand-by" (hyphenated) as it typically refers to a noun or adjective describing a backup or reserve item. Use "on standby" to correctly express the state of being ready and available.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on standby" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of readiness or availability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe when something is prepared for use but not currently in operation. Ludwig examples show this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on standby" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate a state of readiness and availability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys that something or someone is prepared for immediate use. Its usage spans from news and media to science and formal business contexts, demonstrating its versatility. Common errors include confusing it with the hyphenated form "stand-by". Related phrases include "at the ready" and "standing by". Given its consistent application and wide acceptance, incorporating "on standby" into your writing is a reliable way to express preparedness and availability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

standing by

A more direct and active form of being ready and waiting.

at the ready

Focuses on immediate availability and preparedness.

in readiness

Emphasizes the state of being prepared for an event.

on call

Implies being available to respond to a request or need.

in reserve

Suggests being held back for later use or in case of need.

available

A general term indicating accessibility and readiness.

prepared

Highlights the act of getting ready for something.

waiting in the wings

Suggests a hidden readiness, often for an opportunity.

held in abeyance

Indicates temporary suspension or postponement, but with readiness to resume.

kept in a state of preparedness

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing readiness.

FAQs

How to use "on standby" in a sentence?

Use "on standby" to indicate that something or someone is ready and available for immediate use. For example: "The medical team was "on standby" during the event."

What can I say instead of "on standby"?

You can use alternatives like "at the ready", "in readiness", or "standing by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in standby" instead of "on standby"?

No, the correct and idiomatic expression is "on standby". "In standby" is not a standard usage and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

What is the difference between "on standby" and "on call"?

"On standby" generally means being immediately available and ready for use. "On call" implies being available to respond to a request or need, often remotely or with some delay. They both have their own contextual applications and are not really interchangeable.