The use of "long holds"

To my ear, your sentence is correct and natural.

On this one I'm being a bit more fastidious than Avangi. I would say

Every time I call her, she puts me on hold [for a long time / for the longest time / forever].

The choices are increasingly exaggerated, of course.

CJ

Hi, Jim,
Is the problem with "every time"?

That is, would it be correct to say, "Every time I call her, she puts me on a long hold."
(Well, sometimes there are multiple holds during a single call.)

Or, "When I call her, she often puts me on long holds." ?

I'm not sure what's objectionable in the OP. Is it the expression "long holds"?

I don't like "long holds." It's not the question of whether it should be singular or plural, I just don't find the expression iteself natural. In my mind, someone puts you "on hold", not on "a hold" or "a long hold" or any other kind of hold. I would say, "she keeps me on hold for a long time," or "she keeps me waiting/holding for a long time."

AvangiI'm not sure what's objectionable in the OP. Is it the expression "long holds"?

To my ear, yes. I think of "on hold" as a fixed idiom that doesn't admit of alteration. That may be because I've never heard "on holds" whether long or short. And that may be because I don't get out enough! Who knows!

Compare with these to get an idea of

I definitely see your point.

Students often agonize over countable vs. uncountable nouns, and I'm sometimes embarrassed when my 1980's dictionary leaves me behind the times.

It seems like the trend is for uncountables to quickly give birth to countables as the attendant technologies seep into the popular consciousness.

As far as the fixed expressions being primary, I gu

AvangiWe're placing a hold on your check.

Let's hope it's not a

Okay, guys, I give.

(Looks like I'm seriously outvoted, not to mention COCA.)

Many thanks!