remained on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remained on hold" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of being on the phone waiting for a response or connection, often while a call is paused. Example: "I called customer service and remained on hold for over thirty minutes before speaking to a representative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Yet he had no relevant expertise and no formal position; his security clearance remained on hold.

The New York Times - Magazine

The issue remained on hold until 2012, when federal and state regulators, after long negotiations, settled on a revamped plan to clean up the polluted water.

The New Yorker

As Gary Cahill's move to Chelsea inched closer yesterday, the departure from Stamford Bridge of another centre-half, Alex, remained on hold.

Independent

Late in 2010 and into 2011, the third session remained on hold, and she was struggling to find the right people to manage ReWired and the Village House.

The Washington Post

Still, the attorney general, Leslie Rutledge, said she was disappointed that the executions, the first of which was scheduled for this week, remained on hold.

The Guardian

Even if the appeals court had sided with the Trump administration, the president's order would have remained on hold because of a separate opinion from a federal judge in Hawaii.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

While a majority (55%) hopes to start a business one day, their dreams remain on hold.

HuffPost

Until immigration reform which includes a path to citizenship is passed, millions of other dreams remain on hold unless some lawmaker introduces a private bill one person at a time.

Huffington Post

Although there were multiple winners, only one would be given an immediate appointment, the others often remaining on hold for years.

Science Magazine

Hence, we remain on hold.

The Guardian - Business

Government revenues would rebound, and taxes and charges might remain on hold.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remained on hold" to indicate a temporary suspension or postponement, often implying a decision or action is pending. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being held and why.

Common error

Avoid using "remained on hold" when the suspension is permanent or indefinite. This phrase typically implies a temporary state, so use alternatives like "abandoned" or "terminated" if the situation is final.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remained on hold" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of temporary suspension or delay. It connects a subject to a state of being paused. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "remained on hold" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that signifies a temporary suspension or delay. It's typically employed in neutral contexts to communicate that something is paused but not permanently terminated. Based on Ludwig AI's assessment, the phrase is correct and usable. Ludwig examples showcase its prevalence in news and formal business settings. When using "remained on hold", ensure the context implies a temporary state, opting for alternatives like "abandoned" or "terminated" for permanent cessations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Stayed suspended

Emphasizes the continuation of a suspended state.

Was kept pending

Focuses on the action of being kept in a pending state.

Remained in abeyance

A more formal way of saying something is temporarily inactive.

Stayed in limbo

Implies a state of uncertainty and indefinite suspension.

Continued to be delayed

Highlights the ongoing nature of the delay.

Was left unresolved

Focuses on the lack of resolution.

Continued in stasis

Emphasizes a state of inactivity or equilibrium.

Deferred indefinitely

Indicates postponement without a specific future date.

Postponed for now

Highlights the temporary nature of the postponement.

Halted temporarily

Emphasizes the temporary cessation of progress.

FAQs

What does "remained on hold" mean?

The phrase "remained on hold" indicates that something has been temporarily stopped or delayed, but is expected to resume or be addressed at a later time.

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

You can use "remained on hold" to describe situations where progress is temporarily paused. For example, "The project remained on hold due to funding issues."

What can I say instead of "remained on hold"?

You can use alternatives like "stayed suspended", "was kept pending", or "remained in abeyance" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "remained on hold" and "was postponed"?

While both phrases indicate a delay, "remained on hold" often implies a less definite timeframe compared to "was postponed", which suggests a specific future date. The project "was postponed" implies rescheduling. The project remained on hold suggests a temporary cessation without a clear timeline for resumption.