wait a moment

USAGE SUMMARY

"wait a moment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to ask someone to pause for a moment before continuing, or to indicate that you yourself need a brief pause to think or to formulate an answer. For example: "Wait a moment, let me think about that before I give you an answer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How late it's getting!! Wait! Please sir, wait a moment!

BBC

But wait a moment.

Forbes

Oh, wait a moment….

Independent

Oh, wait a moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Please wait a moment".

The New York Times - Tech

So wait a moment.

The Guardian - Opinion

I ask him to wait a moment.

The New Yorker

Outrageous … no, wait a moment.

The Guardian - Arts

Please wait a moment for the liveblog to load.

Independent

Please wait a moment for the live blog to load.

Independent

But wait a moment, the Fed's critics say.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wait a moment" to politely interrupt or request a brief pause in a conversation or process.

Common error

Avoid using "wait a moment" excessively, as it can come across as impatient or condescending. Vary your language with alternatives like "excuse me" or "pardon me" to maintain a smooth flow of communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wait a moment" functions as an interjection or a request. It is used to temporarily halt an action or conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status. Examples provided by Ludwig show it used in both direct requests and internal thought processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Wiki

21%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

19%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wait a moment" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to request a brief pause. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, though slightly leaning towards the informal. Its function is primarily interjectory, serving to interrupt or delay actions temporarily. While versatile, overuse can be perceived negatively, so consider alternatives like "hold on" or "just a second". This phrase appears frequently in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Academia" sources, highlighting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a moment

Nearly identical in meaning and formality.

hold on a second

Similar in meaning but slightly more informal.

one moment, please

Polite and formal way to ask for a short delay.

give me a second

More casual and indicates a need for a brief pause.

please hold

More formal and often used in customer service contexts.

hang on

Informal and conveys a sense of urgency or anticipation.

allow me a moment

Formal and courteous request for a brief pause.

bear with me

Implies a request for patience, often when facing a slight difficulty.

let me see

Indicates thinking or searching for something before responding.

hold everything

More emphatic and implies a need to stop all ongoing actions.

FAQs

How can I use "wait a moment" in a sentence?

You can use "wait a moment" to ask someone to pause briefly, such as "Wait a moment, I need to grab my keys" or "Please wait a moment while I check the details".

What is a more formal way to say "wait a moment"?

A more formal alternative to "wait a moment" is "one moment, please". This is suitable for professional or customer service settings.

What are some alternatives to "wait a moment" in casual conversation?

In casual conversation, you can use phrases like "hold on a second" or "give me a second" instead of "wait a moment".

Is "wait a moment" grammatically correct?

Yes, "wait a moment" is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.