was held over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was held over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event, such as a meeting or performance, was postponed or extended beyond its original schedule. Example: "The meeting was held over due to unforeseen circumstances, and we will reconvene next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Only last month, a 48-hour strike was held over proposals to lay off 950 ticketing staff.

BBC

The match was held over from Tuesday because of rain and resumed in a first-set tie-break, which 20th seed Roddick won comfortably.

BBC

One of the tracks written for Homesick was held over for What Separates Me from You (2010).

Wikipedia

An exhibit devoted to Gary was held over at the Musee des Lettres et Manuscrits in Paris.

Huffington Post

For the two and a half hours that the hearing was held over, Piri said the couple sat close together.

Vice

The competition was held over the weekend in duPont Gymnasium.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The final one was held over the Easter weekend.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Only one commissioner, Cheryl LaFleur, was held over from the Obama administration.

Huffington Post

Prior to the opening of this section, a bridge walk was held over the canal.

Wikipedia

Because of the denial, the story was held over until the following Sunday.

Independent

A third bundle (on crime, security and justice) was held over.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was held over", ensure the context clearly indicates whether something was postponed, extended, or carried forward to a later time. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was held over" when you simply mean something "took place" or "occurred". "Held over" implies a continuation or postponement, not just a simple occurrence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was held over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence experienced the action of being postponed, extended, or carried forward. As seen in the Ludwig examples, it commonly describes events or items.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was held over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that means something was postponed, extended, or carried forward to a later time. It is frequently found in news and media, wiki, and science contexts with a neutral tone, according to Ludwig AI. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure clarity in the context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was postponed", "was extended", and "was carried forward" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember, avoid using "was held over" simply to mean something took place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was postponed

Indicates a delay to a later time or date, focusing on the act of delaying.

was extended

Refers to prolonging the duration or scope of something, emphasizing increased time or reach.

was carried forward

Implies moving something to a later point, often in a series or sequence.

was deferred

Suggests putting off something to a future time, highlighting the act of postponement.

was adjourned

Describes the temporary suspension of a meeting or session, focusing on the break.

was reserved

Indicates that something was kept for future use or consideration, emphasizing preservation.

was tabled

Means to postpone discussion of a proposal or motion, often indefinitely.

was sustained

Implies something was maintained or continued, differing from postponement.

was maintained

Suggests that something was kept in its current state or condition.

was shelved

Means to postpone or abandon a plan or project, usually for an indefinite period.

FAQs

How can I use "was held over" in a sentence?

Use "was held over" to indicate that something was postponed, extended, or carried forward. For example, "The meeting was held over until next week" suggests the meeting was postponed.

What does "was held over" mean?

"Was held over" can mean that something was postponed to a later date, extended beyond its original duration, or carried forward to a future point.

What can I say instead of "was held over"?

You can use alternatives like "was postponed", "was extended", or "was carried forward" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the event was held over"?

Yes, it's correct. Saying "the event was held over" implies that the event was either extended in duration or postponed to a later date.