please hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"please hold" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when someone wishes to put someone else on hold during a phone conversation, but it can also be used in other contexts. For example, "Please hold while I check if the customer service desk is open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Please hold.

The New Yorker

"Please hold fire".

The New York Times

RECEPTIONIST: Please hold.

The New Yorker

Please hold; I'll connect you".

The New York Times - Tech

(Please, hold your "Duh"s).

The New Yorker

"Please hold," the I.V.R. said.

The New Yorker

"Please hold applause until end of dragon".

The New Yorker

Please, hold the puns for later.

The Guardian

"Please hold still" October 10, 2016.

The New Yorker

Then, again, Officer McMellon said, "Please hold it one second.

The New York Times

Please hold this position for four to six hours.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please hold" in customer service, provide an estimated wait time to manage expectations and improve customer satisfaction.

Common error

Avoid using "please hold" in asynchronous written communication like email. Instead, use phrases like "I will get back to you shortly" or "I'll look into this and update you soon" to indicate a delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please hold" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to wait or pause. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, primarily when requesting a temporary halt in communication or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please hold" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to politely request someone to wait. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability, primarily in neutral to professional communication. When employing the phrase, especially in customer service contexts, consider providing an estimated wait time to enhance user experience. While versatile, avoid its use in asynchronous written communication, opting for alternative expressions like "I will get back to you shortly". Alternatives such as "wait a moment", "hold the line", and "one moment, please" can also be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold the line

Specifically refers to waiting on a phone call.

kindly wait

Emphasizes politeness more explicitly than "please hold".

one moment, please

Inverts the structure for slight emphasis shift.

wait a moment

Implies a shorter waiting period.

hold on a second

More casual and implies a very brief pause.

bear with me

Asks for patience, especially during a difficult situation.

allow me a moment

More formal and courteous.

please be patient

Focuses on the recipient's attitude during the wait.

stand by

Often used in broadcasting or emergency situations.

delay momentarily

Formally requests a brief pause.

FAQs

How to use "please hold" in a sentence?

You can use "please hold" when you need someone to wait briefly, typically during a phone call. For example, "Please hold while I check your account details."

What can I say instead of "please hold"?

Alternatives include "wait a moment", "hold the line" (specifically for phone calls), or "one moment, please" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "can you please hold"?

Yes, "can you please hold" is a polite way to ask someone to wait. It's more conversational than simply saying "please hold".

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

"Please hold" and "please hold on" are often used interchangeably, but "please hold on" can also imply holding something physically, while "please hold" typically refers to waiting.