Cool MateHold that vs Stop that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold that
Top 3,000 (common)
Stop that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Hold thatMost common: Stop that
| Hold that | Stop that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ðæt//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //stɒp ðæt//🇺🇸 //stɑp ðæt// |
| Meaning | Keep something in a particular position. | Tell someone to not continue something. |
| Example | Can you **hold that** for a moment while I grab my phone? | When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | hold that thought, hold that position, hold that device | stop that noise, stop that behavior, stop that game |
| Common mistakes | 'Hold that' is often confused with 'keep that', but they have slightly different connotations., Learners may forget to include the object after 'hold that'., Some use 'hold that' incorrectly without context, making it unclear. | Using in too formal a context., Not realizing it can sound rude without context., Confusing with 'stop it' which tends to sound less abrupt. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hold that' when asking someone to stop or pause, often in conversations or instructions. It is not typically used in overly formal contexts. | Used when you want someone to cease an action. Common in casual contexts; might not be appropriate in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold that vs Stop that
What's the difference between Hold that and Stop that?
Hold that: Keep something in a particular position. Stop that: Tell someone to not continue something.
Which is more formal: Hold that and Stop that?
Hold that is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Hold that and Stop that?
Stop that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold that: Can you **hold that** for a moment while I grab my phone? Stop that: When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!'
Can I use Hold that and Stop that interchangeably?
Not always. Hold that and Stop that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.