Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
please don't hang up
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
please stay on the line
hang on
stay on the line
hold the line
keep the line open
maintain the connection
continue the dialogue
foster the bond
keep in contact
keep the lines of communication open
maintain communication
stay connected
maintain an open dialogue
continue the conversation
preserve communication
continue the discussion
pursue the dialogue
maintain the dialogue
resume the dialogue
keep the dialogue
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
3 human-written examples
Oh, please don't hang up.
News & Media
H.H. And please don't hang up.
News & Media
"But you thought calling was O.K.?" "Did you say you were the nanny?" "Goodbye, Mr. — " "No, Miles, please don't hang up.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
"Please Do Not Hang, Smoke, Drink, Party, Scream, in Our Yard!!!! Respect the Beach".
News & Media
Finally: "Don't hang up.
News & Media
Russo -- Don't hang up.
News & Media
"Don't hang up," Mrs. McGinnis pleaded.
News & Media
A different male voice came on: "Don't hang up.
News & Media
"Hey, don't hang up on me, Elliot.
News & Media
Don't hang up, OK?
News & Media
Don't hang up! Congrats.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In emergency or professional contexts, follow the request with a clear reason (e.g., "Stay on the line so I can verify your address") to ensure compliance.
Common error
Writers sometimes use "hang up" when they mean "hang on". "Hang on" is a request for the listener to wait briefly, while "hang up" refers to ending the call entirely. Ensure you are not asking someone to terminate the call when you actually want them to wait.
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "please don't hang up" functions as a negative imperative request. According to Ludwig, it serves to prevent a specific action (disconnecting a telephonic communication). The inclusion of "please" acts as a politeness marker, which is essential for transforming a command into a request.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
35%
Reference
10%
Less common in
Science
5%
Social Media
3%
Academia
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "please don't hang up" is a vital linguistic tool used to preserve communication channels during a phone call. Ludwig AI indicates that although it is statistically "Rare" in terms of literal exact matches in large corpora, it is a highly idiomatic expression found in high-quality sources like The New Yorker and The New York Times. It is most commonly used in narrative contexts to convey urgency or in instructional contexts (like WikiHow) to guide telephone etiquette. When writing, it is important to distinguish it from "hang on", which implies a temporary pause rather than preventing a total disconnection. Overall, it remains the standard way to ask a listener to stay on the line.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
stay on the line
More formal and often used in professional or emergency dispatch contexts
do not end the call
More clinical and stern in tone
hold the line
Slightly more formal or British-leaning phrasing
don't go yet
Less specific to phone calls and more focused on the person staying
please keep talking
Focuses on the continuation of speech rather than the technical connection
don't cut the connection
Uses more technical terminology
wait, I'm not finished
Focuses on the speaker's need to finish their statement
please stay with me
Much more emotional and intimate in tone
don't put the phone down
Describes the physical action of ending a call literally
keep the line open
Often used in investigative or emergency scenarios
FAQs
How do I use "please don't hang up" in a sentence?
You can use it at the start of a difficult conversation to ensure the listener stays, such as: "Wait, please don't hang up, I have something important to say."
What is a more professional way to say "please don't hang up"?
In a business setting, it is better to say "please stay on the line" or "please remain on the line".
Is "please don't hang up" grammatically correct?
Yes, it is a perfectly correct negative imperative sentence. It combines the politeness marker "please" with the contraction "don't" and the phrasal verb "hang up".
What is the difference between "please don't hang up" and "don't hang up the phone"?
There is no functional difference, but adding "the phone" as in "don't hang up the phone" makes the object of the verb explicit.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested