put on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on hold" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the suspension of something, often temporarily. For example: "We decided to put the project on hold until we can get more funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And no one is put on hold.

The New York Times - Health

Any celebration must be put on hold.

Independent

But I am put on hold.

The New Yorker

They cannot safely be put on hold.

The Economist

Debates are put on hold.

The Guardian - Sport

I am put on hold.

The New York Times

If so, the nuclear brinkmanship could be put on hold.

The Economist

Charitable and promotional appearances are put on hold.

The New York Times - Sports

Debt collection should also be put on hold.

Independent

Holds, secret or not, might be put on hold.

The New Yorker

It isn't an issue easily put on hold.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing actions that are more permanently stopped, consider alternatives like "cancelled" or "abandoned".

Common error

Avoid using "put on hold" when the intention is to convey that something has been completely stopped. Use more definitive terms like "cancelled" or "terminated" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on hold" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used in the passive voice. It describes the action of delaying or suspending something, implying a temporary cessation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on hold" is a versatile phrasal verb indicating a temporary suspension. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly used across various contexts, including news, business, and academic settings. While alternatives like ""suspend temporarily"" or ""defer action"" exist for more formal tones, "put on hold" maintains a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. The key is to use it when something is intended to be resumed later, differentiating it from more permanent terms like "cancelled" or "terminated". Remember that the intent is a temporary suspension and not a permanent one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspend temporarily

This alternative emphasizes the temporary nature of the pause.

delay consideration

Focuses on delaying the act of thinking about and evaluating something.

defer action

This alternative is more formal and highlights the postponement of a specific action.

pause proceedings

Suitable for scenarios where a formal process or event is interrupted.

cease temporarily

Emphasizes the act of stopping for a limited period.

shelve for the moment

This suggests a temporary removal from consideration, implying it might be revisited later.

keep in suspension

Highlights the state of being paused or inactive.

table the discussion

This is often used in meetings to postpone a discussion to a later time.

mothball the project

Suggests a longer-term suspension, potentially with the intent of not returning to it.

hold in abeyance

This is a more formal and legalistic way of saying something is suspended.

FAQs

How can I use "put on hold" in a sentence?

You can use "put on hold" to describe a temporary suspension. For example, "We decided to "defer action" and put the project on hold until we secure more funding."

What is a more formal alternative to "put on hold"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "hold in abeyance" or "suspend temporarily". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it appropriate to use "put on hold" in business communication?

Yes, "put on hold" is perfectly acceptable in business communication to indicate that a task, discussion, or decision has been temporarily postponed. However, ensure that the context makes it clear that the suspension is not permanent.

What's the difference between "put on hold" and "shelved"?

"Put on hold" implies a temporary suspension with the possibility of resumption, while "shelved", like "mothball the project", suggests that something has been removed from active consideration, perhaps indefinitely. The difference lies in the likelihood of revisiting the matter in the future.