Held steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Held steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something remains stable or unchanged over a period of time. Example: "Despite the fluctuations in the market, the company's stock price held steady throughout the quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Chief regulator Glenys Stacey said standards would be "held steady".

BBC

The yeast concentration was held steady at 10% throughout.

Plosone

But the structure held steady.

The Economist

That rate, too, held steady.

The New York Times

Bond prices held steady.

The Washington Post

Subaru held steady.

The New York Times

His gaze held steady.

The New York Times

Confidence in the police has held steady.

The Economist

The stockmarket and currency held steady.

The Economist

MSNBC held steady with 425,000.

The New York Times

The unemployment held steady at 9.7%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Held steady" to convey stability or a lack of change, particularly when referring to numerical data, economic indicators, or performance metrics. For example, "The unemployment rate held steady at 4.9%."

Common error

Avoid using "Held steady" when you actually mean there was growth or improvement. This phrase indicates no significant change, not positive advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Held steady" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used to describe the state of something remaining unchanged or stable over a period. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, reinforcing its role in indicating consistency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

12%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Held steady" is a versatile verb phrase that effectively conveys stability and consistency across diverse contexts. With a grammatical status marked as correct and a very common frequency, it is suitable for formal and informal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to indicate something remained unchanged, making it appropriate for discussing data, economic trends, or any situation where stability is key. When using "Held steady", remember that it does not imply progress or improvement, only the absence of significant change. Alternatives such as "remained constant" or "stayed stable" can be used to express similar meanings, but "Held steady" remains a reliable and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remained constant

Focuses on the unchanging nature of something.

Stayed stable

Emphasizes the stability and lack of significant fluctuation.

Maintained level

Highlights the act of keeping something at the same point or degree.

Kept constant

Similar to remained constant, but with a sense of active maintenance.

Did not change

A simple and direct way of expressing no alteration.

Persisted unchanged

Emphasizes the continuation of something in its original state.

Stood still

Suggests no movement or progress.

Was consistent

Implies a predictable and uniform state over time.

Didn't fluctuate

Specifically points out the absence of up-and-down movements.

Exhibited no variation

Highlights the complete absence of any changes or differences.

FAQs

How can I use "Held steady" in a sentence?

Use "Held steady" to describe a situation where something has remained at the same level or state over a period of time. For example, "Despite market volatility, the stock price "held steady"."

What are some alternatives to saying "Held steady"?

You can use alternatives such as "remained constant", "stayed stable", or "maintained level" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "Held steady" in formal writing?

Yes, "Held steady" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing data, statistics, or economic trends. It effectively conveys the idea of stability without change.

What's the difference between "Held steady" and "Improved slightly"?

"Held steady" indicates no significant change, while "Improved slightly" suggests a small positive change. Use "Held steady" when there is no noticeable difference over time.