standby

USAGE SUMMARY

"standby" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used to refer to something that is ready and available for use or action if needed. Example sentence: I made sure my cell phone was on standby in case there was an emergency.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Labor's letter said the government should "negotiate with our international partner countries to ensure appropriate standby and evacuation management arrangements for any Australian personnel".

The Guardian

For our energy makeover this week I was given a standby saver, which was useful; I plugged my television into it and it has a sensor that responds to a signal from the TV remote control, so I just use that instead of switching the plug off at the wall.

The Guardian

I'm still very good at not leaving things on standby, which was our first pledge – though my husband Brian isn't!

The Guardian

Our three "energy-saving pledges" are to not leave things plugged in or on standby, to make sure we don't run the washing machine and dishwasher overnight so they stay on for hours, and carrying on with our cooking challenge – making lots in one go so we can reheat it later in the week, rather than cooking lots of separate meals.

The Guardian

And that's just paying for phone chargers to be plugged in and our printer to be on standby – for nothing at all, really.

The Guardian

She's looking forward to seeing just how much having all her gadgets on standby really costs.

The Guardian

About 10 police officers were at the scene, with a police van and ambulance on standby.

The Guardian

Deborah Auton "I used to have my TV on standby, but since week one of the experiment I've been switching it off when I finish watching it at night.

The Guardian

Previously, we also left the TV, DVD, Soundbar and a laptop on standby all the time.

The Guardian

Carly: This week we had to undertake a five-minute energy makeover, so we were given standby savers and energy-saving lightbulbs to fit across the house.

The Guardian

We were also asked to 'purge' the house of electronic devices on standby, so we went around the house switching everything off that we used to just leave plugged in – especially things that were charging.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to electronic devices, use "standby" to indicate a low-power state where the device is still operational but consuming minimal energy.

Common error

Avoid using "standing by" when "standby" is the correct term, especially when referring to the mode of an electronic device. "Standing by" implies a person or group waiting for instructions, while "standby" refers to a state of readiness.

Linguistic Context

The word "standby" functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a state of readiness or a backup system. As a verb, it means to wait briefly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "standby" is a versatile term with distinct meanings depending on the context. Functioning as both a noun and a verb, it conveys either a state of readiness or a low-power mode for electronic devices. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Its prevalence in news media and business contexts underscores its importance in both general communication and specialized fields. While "standby" is typically employed in a neutral register, ensuring clarity and precision in its application is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at the ready

Indicates immediate availability and preparedness for action; emphasizes readiness.

on call

Implies being available to respond to a request or emergency; emphasizes availability.

in reserve

Suggests something is kept available for future use if needed; emphasizes backup.

in readiness

Formal way of saying prepared or ready; emphasizes preparation.

backup system

Refers to a secondary system that is available if the primary one fails; emphasizes redundancy.

sleep mode

Specifically refers to a low-power state in electronic devices; emphasizes energy conservation.

waiting mode

Implies a state of waiting for something to happen or a signal to be received; emphasizes anticipation.

on hold

Suggests a temporary suspension or pause; emphasizes interruption.

in abeyance

Indicates a temporary inactivity or suspension; emphasizes suspension.

under consideration

Suggests something is being thought about or evaluated; emphasizes evaluation.

FAQs

How to use "standby" in a sentence?

You can use "standby" to describe a state of readiness, as in "The ambulance is on standby for any emergencies", or to refer to the low-power mode of an electronic device, as in "The TV is in standby mode to save energy".

What can I say instead of "standby"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "at the ready", "on call", or "in reserve" if you mean being prepared. If referring to a device's mode, "sleep mode" is a suitable alternative.

Which is correct, "standby mode" or "stand-by mode"?

"Standby mode" is the more commonly accepted and correct form. "Stand-by mode", while sometimes seen, is less frequent and may be considered less formal.

What's the difference between "standby" and "reserve"?

"Standby" implies a state of immediate readiness or availability, while "reserve" suggests something is held back for future use if needed. An item on "standby" is ready for immediate action, whereas an item in "reserve" is kept available as a backup or contingency.