I hold dear

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I hold dear" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you feel strong affection for something or someone. For example, you might say "My family is something I hold dear."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

"That's what I hold dear".

The New York Times - Sports

"Crystal Palace were my first club and one I hold dear to my heart.

Independent

"Some of these leaders I hold dear since the days of the 1970s," he said.

The New York Times

He stopped at a pear-wood cabinet from the early twentieth century, called "For the Things I Hold Dear".

The New Yorker

"My family, my heart and soul, all that I hold dear are in Israel," he said.

The New York Times

It's a value I hold dear – you can't tell someone's stories without first asking them what those stories are.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

The people that really cared, that's who I hold dearest.

The Guardian - Music

Its not my best but it is my last... .. "I find it to be most suitable that I take photos of what I hold dearest to me, my daughters, with what I have left in Kodachrome 64 film.

BBC

"What I have finally come to realize is that I cannot support the death penalty because what I hold dearest in life is the promise of redemption.

Huffington Post

For me, muses come in all forms but many are the women I hold dearest: my mother, my wife and my daughters.

Huffington Post

I clean my desk while I appreciate that it probably got so messy in the first place because my mind was busy focusing on things I hold dearer than tidiness.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I hold dear", ensure the context clearly establishes why the subject is valuable or important to you. This adds emotional depth and sincerity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "I hold dear" in overly formal or business settings where a more neutral tone is preferred. Opt for phrases like "I value" or "I consider important" for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I hold dear" functions as a declarative statement expressing personal valuation or affection. It combines a subject ("I"), a verb ("hold"), and an adjective ("dear") to convey a sense of emotional attachment and importance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I hold dear" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to convey personal value and affection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively communicates the importance of something to the speaker. While versatile, it's best suited for contexts where expressing personal sentiment is appropriate and may be less suitable in overly formal settings. Alternatives like "I cherish" or "I value greatly" can provide similar meaning with subtle differences in tone. The phrase sees common usage in both news media and personal reflections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I cherish

Expresses a deep love and appreciation, similar to holding something dear.

I treasure

Indicates valuing something greatly, synonymous with holding it dear.

I value greatly

Highlights the importance of something to the speaker.

I deeply appreciate

Expresses profound gratitude and recognition of worth.

I have a great affection for

Shows fondness and care for something or someone.

I prize

Implies a high value and regard.

I esteem

Conveys respect and high regard.

I revere

Suggests deep respect and admiration, often for something sacred.

I am very fond of

Expresses a strong liking and affection.

I care deeply about

Indicates a strong emotional investment and concern.

FAQs

How can I use "I hold dear" in a sentence?

You can use "I hold dear" to express that something is very important or valuable to you. For example, "My family is something "I hold dear"."

What are some alternatives to "I hold dear"?

You can use alternatives like "I cherish", "I treasure", or "I value greatly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "I hold dear" in formal writing?

While "I hold dear" is grammatically correct, it may sound too sentimental for formal writing. Consider using more neutral alternatives like "I value" or "I consider important".

What's the difference between "I hold dear" and "I hold dearest"?

"I hold dearest" is a superlative form, indicating something is the most valued among all things. "I hold dear" simply indicates high value or importance but not necessarily the highest. For example, "My children are what "I hold dearest"" implies they are valued above all else.