put in abeyance

USAGE SUMMARY

"put in abeyance" is a correct and usuable phrase in written English.
It means to put a particular activity or decision on hold temporarily. For example, "We decided to put the project in abeyance until more resources were available."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

An effort to call a constitutional convention has been put in abeyance as its organizing group has run out of money.

The New York Times

The attacks of Sept. 11 put in abeyance a possible lawsuit by the General Accounting Office, the Congressional auditing arm, which has been seeking access to energy task force records at the request of Mr. Waxman and Representative John D. Dingell, the Michigan Democrat.

The New York Times

Notwithstanding signs of a growing economy -- and yesterday's long-anticipated announcement of a joint venture in music between Sony and Bertelsmann -- several major mergers have been put in abeyance or have collapsed entirely since those earlier deals were announced, according to Wall Street deal makers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Finkel's report says the relatively short horizon of federal climate policy, coupled with the Abbott government's attack on the federal renewable energy target, has put investment in abeyance.

The Guardian

But then this is 1996, slap-bang in the middle of that strange decade when history briefly put itself in abeyance, culture turned itself into a mess of gurning primary colours, and the United States had no real external enemies.

Vice

It's certainly one of his best films, though in terms of his acting, it's remarkable chiefly for how fiercely he puts himself in abeyance.

The Guardian - Film

That theory was put into abeyance last year, when the 73-year-old Whittingham, who hadn't been to the Derby since 1960, knew what he had in Ferdinand and conquered Churchill Downs for the first time.

Los Angeles Times

The federal court put that lawsuit in abeyance while the Obama administration's case moved forward.

The New York Times

After winning the loathsome prize in 1986, Amis put his derision in abeyance, never expressing his contempt in public again.

The Guardian - Books

Yet when the commission proposed to force the two miscreants to make budget cuts last November, the Council of Ministers overruled it, deciding instead to put the pact "in abeyance".

The Economist

But they have the leeway to suspend that requirement in a crisis, and American officials are clearly hoping that Europe will agree to put the rule in abeyance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put in abeyance" when you want to convey a formal tone and indicate that a decision or activity is temporarily suspended but not permanently abandoned.

Common error

Avoid using "put in abeyance" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "put on hold" or "delay" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in abeyance" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of suspending or postponing something temporarily. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts such as legal proceedings, investment decisions, and political actions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put in abeyance" is a formal phrase used to indicate that something is being temporarily suspended or postponed. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is commonly found in news articles, academic papers, and encyclopedias, suggesting its suitability for formal and professional contexts. When using "put in abeyance", consider the context and tone to ensure it aligns with your intended message. Simpler alternatives exist for informal settings, such as placing something "on hold".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

place on hold

A more direct and common way of expressing temporary suspension.

suspend temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the suspension.

hold in suspension

Emphasizes the state of being suspended or on hold.

leave pending

Focuses on the unresolved or incomplete state of a matter.

defer temporarily

Highlights the act of postponing something to a later time.

set aside temporarily

Emphasizes the act of segregating something for a limited time.

shelve for the moment

Indicates placing something aside, possibly for reconsideration later.

table for later

Implies postponing discussion or action on a particular item.

keep in reserve

Suggests maintaining something for potential future use, with a sense of withholding it for now.

mothball

Uses a metaphor to describe placing something in a state of preservation for future reactivation.

FAQs

What does "put in abeyance" mean?

The phrase "put in abeyance" means to suspend or postpone something temporarily. It suggests that the matter is not closed but is being held back for a later time.

How to use "put in abeyance" in a sentence?

You can use "put in abeyance" to indicate that a plan, decision, or activity has been temporarily suspended. For example, "The project was "placed on hold" pending further review."

What can I say instead of "put in abeyance"?

Alternatives to "put in abeyance" include phrases like "suspend temporarily", "place on hold", or "defer temporarily". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "put in abeyance" formal or informal?

"Put in abeyance" is generally considered a formal phrase. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "put on hold" or "delay" are more appropriate.