set on hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"set on hold" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to temporarily postpone something. For example, "We have decided to set the project on hold until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps he's emboldened by his Chancellor, George Osborne, who seems set on holding firm line on cuts to working tax credits, despite a growing revolt by Tory backbenchers who fear not only the embarrassment of the pasty tax but the fatality of the poll tax.

Independent

All Justin has are his friends, and in the end he's left to choose between the rapist-jocks or the crew that's set on holding them accountable, to bring justice for Hannah and the other young women they raped.

Vice

The polling in seven Lib Dem-held seats and one Tory-held seat shows Mr Clegg's party is set to hold on to four, with the Tories making gains in the others.

Independent

Bombs or not, Mr Mubarak looks set to hold on to power.

The Economist

Despite all of these issues, the Christian Democrats appeared set to hold on to power in Saxony-Anhalt — and comfortably.

The New York Times

It looks set to hold on to a slim overall majority nationwide, but this is the first time since Mandela took power that it has secured less than 60% of the vote.

The Guardian

After a Carl Meyer try extended the Dragons lead, Ulster pressure yielded a penalty try, but the visitors looked set to hold on before Jackson's late kick.

BBC

While retreating somewhat in the closing stages, the Republic still seemed set to hold on before the Leeds man's late leveller.

BBC

Philip Lowry put Linfield ahead in the first half and the Blues looked set to hold on as Glentoran's Mark Clarke was sent off 14 minutes from time.

BBC

El Coyote is in reality Don César de Echagüe, a rich California hacendado who returns to his Hispanic land in 1851, to find it invaded and conquered by ruthless Yankees set on getting hold of the gold mines owned by the Hispanic inhabitants of the newly incorporated territory.

Huffington Post

Their report concluded that Allende was killed by two bullets shot from a rifle set on automatic held between his legs.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set on hold", specify a reason or a potential future date for resumption to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "set on hold" when intending to cancel something permanently; instead, opt for terms like "abandon" or "terminate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set on hold" functions as a phrasal verb indicating a temporary suspension or postponement of an action or activity. This usage is supported by Ludwig's AI analysis, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "set on hold" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate a temporary suspension or postponement. Though identified as rare, based on the analyzed data, Ludwig AI confirms its validity, mostly appearing in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: specify the reason for the pause and any potential resumption date. More common alternatives such as "put on hold" might be considered for wider audience understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suspend temporarily

Focuses on the temporary nature of the action.

postpone indefinitely

Implies the lack of a specific date for resumption.

put in abeyance

A more formal way to say something is temporarily inactive.

shelve for the moment

Suggests the action is put aside but may be revisited later.

place in hiatus

Emphasizes a break or interruption in a series or sequence.

deactivate temporarily

Highlights a temporary state of being inactive.

freeze operations

Suggests halting operations suddenly.

cease temporarily

Focuses on a brief cessation or halt.

delay action

Emphasizes the act of delaying a particular activity or response.

adjourn consideration

Focuses on the act of postponing deliberation or discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "set on hold" to indicate a temporary suspension of an activity. For example, "We decided to set the project on hold due to budget constraints."

What's a formal alternative to "set on hold"?

A more formal alternative to "set on hold" is to "place in abeyance", which implies a state of temporary inactivity or suspension.

Is it correct to say "put on hold" instead of "set on hold"?

While "set on hold" is grammatically correct, "put on hold" is a more common and widely accepted phrase for indicating a temporary pause.

What does "set on hold" imply about the future?

"Set on hold" suggests that an activity or project is temporarily paused but is expected to resume at a later, unspecified time.