Guide 179 / 200 4 swaps Formal register
Professional words for “wait”
Four register-aware ways to say "wait."
i · When it mattersTwo lines, no filler
"Wait" is plain. "Hold off" is for decisions; "stand by" is for readiness; "pause" is for ongoing work; "defer" is formal postponement.
ii · The swaps4 ways
- 01Hold off neutral
delay a decision or action
Hold off on the hire until Q2.
- 02Stand by neutral
be ready and available
Stand by for the green light from security.
- 03Pause neutral
stop ongoing work briefly
Pause the rollout pending review.
- 04Defer formal
formally put off
Defer the vote to the next session.