Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
transfer on hold
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesAlternative expressions(20)
transaction pending
transaction in progress
payment processing
awaiting confirmation
being processed
clearing
subject to approval
under review
processing transaction
Payment is being processed
payment is pending
payment is being processed
payment is processing
payment completed
leave on hold
your transaction is being processed
payment under process
transfer pending
transfer in progress
is equivalent to
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
But RNZ is reporting that a Sri Lankan court has put the transfer on hold, after animal activists said it would be cruel to separate the baby elephant from its family.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
All transfers should be put on hold until there has been a chance to analyze emerging numbers about the threat of recidivism, and to begin patching the cracks in the system laid bare by the Christmas Day bomb plot.
News & Media
On Sunday, however, the United States said it was putting on hold the transfer of about 30 Afghan detainees because of doubts about the government's commitment to other parts of the memorandum of understanding.
News & Media
International clearance for the transfers of Steve Davis, Kyle Lafferty, Jamie Ness, Steven Whittaker and Steven Naismith has been put on hold as Green continues to dispute the players' status.
News & Media
International clearance for the transfers of Davis, Lafferty, Ness, Whittaker and Naismith has been put on hold as Green continues to dispute the players' status.
News & Media
Newcastle have put their transfer plans on hold until their Premier League safety is assured.
News & Media
The Tevez transfer is on hold after the Brazilian side contradicted City boss Roberto Mancini's claim that a deal had been agreed.
News & Media
Then came the Christmas Day airliner bombing attempt, which was planned in Yemen, and the president put all transfers there on hold.
News & Media
He scored in a friendly against an Everton reserve team, but despite the club wanting to sign Johnson, the transfer was put on hold because of the club's salary cap.
Wiki
You may need to be transferred or placed on hold while the hiring manager or recruiter is notified of your call.
Wiki
For the freshwater component of the study, individual fish were rapidly recovered from the drift gill net by hand and placed in on-board, aerated holding totes containing ambient freshwater, then transferred to holding totes on-shore for sampling.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
In formal communication, specify the entity responsible for the hold, such as 'The department has put the "transfer on hold"', to provide clarity
Common error
Avoid using 'transfer in hold' or 'transfer at hold'. The standard idiomatic expression is always "on hold"
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "transfer on hold" typically functions as a noun phrase followed by a prepositional phrase acting as an adjectival modifier. In many instances provided by Ludwig, it appears as the object of the verb 'put', creating the idiomatic structure 'to put something "on hold"'. This structure indicates the status of a specific action or process.
Frequent in
News & Media
65%
Formal & Business
20%
Wiki
10%
Less common in
Science
3%
Reference
1%
Social Media
1%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "transfer on hold" is a robust and frequently used expression in the English language, particularly within professional and journalistic spheres. Analysis of data from Ludwig indicates that while the exact match appears in specific legal and diplomatic contexts, variations like 'put the transfer on hold' are ubiquitous. It serves as a clear indicator of temporary suspension. Whether dealing with international diplomacy, sports contracts or financial transactions, the term provides a precise way to describe a process that has been paused but not necessarily cancelled. Writers should ensure they use the preposition 'on' to maintain idiomatic correctness and provide context for the 'hold' to ensure maximum clarity.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
transaction on hold
Specifically refers to the financial exchange rather than the broader movement
suspended transfer
Suggests a more formal or possibly punitive interruption of the process
transaction pending
Focuses specifically on the financial aspect and indicates the process is ongoing but not yet finished
transfer delayed
A more general term indicating that the timeline has been pushed back
deferred transfer
Implies a deliberate decision to move the transfer to a later date
transfer halted
Indicates a complete and sudden stop rather than a temporary pause
paused transfer
Used more frequently in digital or technical contexts like file moving
frozen transfer
Commonly used in banking or legal contexts when accounts are locked
pending relocation
Used when the transfer refers to the movement of personnel or assets
transfer in abeyance
A highly formal or legalistic way of saying a transfer is suspended
FAQs
How to use "transfer on hold" in a sentence?
You can use it as a subject complement or object, for example: 'The court decided to put the "transfer on hold" until further evidence is presented'.
What can I say instead of "transfer on hold"?
Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "suspended transfer", "transaction pending" or "transfer delayed".
Which is correct: "transfer on hold" or "transfer in hold"?
The correct phrase is ""transfer on hold"". The use of 'in hold' is grammatically incorrect in this context.
What is the difference between "transfer on hold" and "suspended transfer"?
A ""transfer on hold"" usually implies a temporary wait, often for administrative reasons, while a "suspended transfer" may suggest a more serious or official interruption due to policy violations or legal issues.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested