Hold less

USAGE SUMMARY

"Hold less" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone or something reducing their possession or control of something. For example: "The company decided to hold less stock to reduce expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These differences allowed some banks to hold less capital in reserve in case the holdings ran into trouble.

The New York Times

Companies will need to hold less inventory.

The New York Times

Of course, some men's rights attorneys hold less extreme views.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Maybe this would encourage them to hold less cash and increase their lending.

The New York Times

Banks should hold less capital in good times and reduce leverage when losses loom.

The Economist

They now hold less than a third, mostly in rural areas.

The Economist

Women hold less than 2 percent of seats on their boards.

The New York Times

But banks may want to hold less if they are subject to the Basel rules.

The New York Times

At Fox News and MSNBC, the old pieties do hold less sway.

The New Yorker

Nordhaus and Shellenberger hold less that environmentalism is dead than that it ought to die.

The New York Times

Without that interaction the decisions made regarding where a product may fit will hold less value.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to reduce consumption or possession, use "Hold less" followed by a specific noun. For example, "Hold less inventory" or "Hold less cash."

Common error

Avoid using "Hold less" when you intend to communicate complete cessation. The phrase indicates a reduction, not elimination. For complete removal, use "Hold none" or "Do not hold."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Hold less" is as a verb phrase instructing or describing the action of reducing the quantity or amount of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Hold less" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that advises or describes a reduction in quantity, possession, or control. As Ludwig AI points out, it is suitable for written English. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register applicable across various professional and general scenarios. When writing, remember that "Hold less" implies a reduction, not complete elimination, and to select alternative phrasing, such as "reduce quantity" or "decrease amount", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Reduce quantity

Focuses specifically on reducing the amount or number of something.

Decrease amount

Similar to 'reduce quantity' but emphasizes the diminishing size or extent.

Diminish possession

Highlights lessening ownership or control.

Lessen control

Emphasizes a decrease in the power or authority exerted.

Minimize stock

Suggests reducing the inventory or supply of something.

Curtail holdings

Implies a formal or deliberate reduction in assets or investments.

Lower reserves

Specifically targets a reduction in stored resources or backup supplies.

Scale down inventory

Refers to decreasing the amount of goods available for sale.

Cut back on reserves

Informal way to express the reduction of reserved resources.

Retrench holdings

Suggests a strategic withdrawal or reduction of assets, often in response to financial pressures.

FAQs

How can I use "Hold less" in a sentence?

You can use "Hold less" to describe reducing the amount of something you possess or control. For example, "Banks should "hold less capital" in good times."

What's a formal way to say "Hold less"?

Formal alternatives include "reduce", "decrease", or "diminish". For example, instead of "Hold less inventory", you could say "reduce inventory".

Which is correct: "Hold less" or "hold fewer"?

"Hold less" is generally used for uncountable nouns, while "hold fewer" is used for countable nouns. For example, "hold less water" vs. "hold fewer items".

What does it mean when someone says to "Hold less" of something?

It means to reduce the quantity, amount, or degree of whatever is being referred to. This could apply to physical objects, abstract concepts, or even emotional attachments.