How to Pronounce HOLD ON: Stress, Linking & Natural Speech

HOLD ON means "to wait" — one of the most common phrasal verbs in phone conversations and everyday situations.

Basic Pronunciation

Stress Pattern

Stress falls on ON:

• hold = less stressed
• ON = main stress (louder, longer)

Say: "hold ON" not "HOLD on"

The "Silent" L in American English

In casual American speech, the /l/ in "hold" is often vocalized (sounds like a vowel) rather than fully pronounced:

• Careful speech: /hoʊld/
• Casual speech: /hoʊd/ or /hoʊəd/

The dark L becomes so dark it almost disappears, replaced by a vowel-like quality.

Connected Speech

The /d/ at the end of "hold" links to the vowel /ɑː/ in "on":

• Written: hold on
• Sounds like: "hol-DON" /hoʊlˈdɑːn/ or "ho-DON" /hoʊˈdɑːn/

Practice Examples

The /oʊ/ Diphthong

"Hold" contains the diphthong /oʊ/:

• Start with mid-back rounded /o/
• Glide to /ʊ/ with more lip rounding
• Same sound as "go," "no," "show"

Different Meanings

1. Wait

2. Grip tightly

3. Survive/persist

4. Phone usage

Inseparable Verb

HOLD ON is inseparable:

• ✅ "Hold on to your hat."
• ❌ "Hold your hat on."

Common Phone Expressions

Common Mistakes for Spanish Speakers

1. The /oʊ/ diphthong

Don't use a pure Spanish "o." English "hold" glides from /o/ to /ʊ/.

2. Pronouncing a clear L

In American English, the L in "hold" is dark and often vocalized. Don't pronounce it as a clear Spanish "l."

3. The vowel in "on"

American "on" uses /ɑː/ (open back vowel), not the Spanish "o."

Practice Sentences

1. "Hold ON a second!" → /hoʊld ˈɑːn ə ˈsekənd/
2. "Can you hold ON?" → /kən jə hoʊld ˈɑːn/
3. "Hold ON tight!" → /hoʊld ˈɑːn taɪt/
4. "I can't hold ON anymore." → /aɪ kænt hoʊld ˈɑːn ˌeniˈmɔːr/

Related Expressions

Quick Summary

• Stress on ON: hold ON
• Link /d/ to vowel: "hol-DON"
• Dark/vocalized L in American English
• /oʊ/ diphthong in "hold"
• Very common in phone conversations

Last one! How to pronounce GET ALONG.