Grammatically incorrect: "Thank you for holding"?

Question

Hi. Just wondering if the expression "thank you for holding" is grammatically correct. I have a friend who says it isn't--opting instead for "thank you for waiting"--and I have another friend who says it falls under the category of idiomatic expressions and is, therefore, okay. Your thoughts?

AlpheccaStars · Accepted Answer

It's perfectly acceptable in this sentence:

Thank you for holding my place in the queue while I stepped out for a moment.

Saveophelia · Answer

Thanks, AlpheccaStars.

But I meant when used on the phone. Like after placing someone on hold. Sorry if I wasn't clear.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

saveopheliaBut I meant when used on the phone.

It's the same usage. It is natural and idiomatic (commonly used).

Saveophelia · Answer

Thanks, AlpheccaStars!

Fivejedjon · Answer

saveopheliaJust wondering if the expression "thank you for holding" is grammatically correct.

I told you that it was grammatically correct in a thread you started anonymously yesterday here. If you had had follow-up questions, it would have been better to have posted them in the original thread. Please do so in future. Having two threads on the same question can lead to confusion and wasted effort.

Thank you.

ps. Welcome to the forum.

Saveophelia · Answer

Sorry. I couldn't find that thread anymore! (I searched and searched.) So I decided to log on and do it again so that I could track it. Sorry for doubling up.

Grammatically incorrect: "Thank you for holding"?

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