are held by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are held by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate possession or control by a person or group over something, often in contexts related to ownership, responsibility, or authority. Example: "The final decisions regarding the project are held by the board of directors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Around half are held by security officials.

The Economist

Of those, 67 are held by Democrats.

The New York Times

Four more seats are held by independents.

The Economist

Most patents are held by rich westerners.

The Economist

Both are held by Britta Steffen.

The Guardian - Sport

Two additional seats are held by independents.

The New York Times

Both are held by the USA.

The Guardian - Sport

His N.H.L. rights are held by Vancouver.

The New York Times

...only 14 are held by Republicans.

The New York Times

Eleven regions are held by the centre-left opposition.

The Economist

All three Kentucky seats are held by Republicans.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are held by" to clearly indicate who possesses or controls something, especially in contexts where ownership, responsibility, or authority are relevant. Ensure that the subject is plural to match the verb 'are'.

Common error

Avoid using "is held by" when referring to multiple items or a plural subject. "Is held by" should only be used with singular subjects, while "are held by" is appropriate for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are held by" functions as a passive verb phrase indicating possession, control, or responsibility. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are held by" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate possession, control, or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement to avoid errors. Alternatives such as "are possessed by", "are controlled by", and "are owned by" may be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are possessed by

Emphasizes ownership or control, similar to "are held by", but with a slightly stronger connotation of ownership.

are controlled by

Focuses on the aspect of having authority or influence over something, rather than simply physical possession.

are owned by

Directly indicates legal ownership, a more formal way of stating who has the rights to something.

are maintained by

Highlights the responsibility of upkeep and management, implying a continuous effort to keep something in a certain condition.

are administered by

Suggests a formal process of managing or governing something, typically within an organization or institution.

are under the jurisdiction of

Indicates that something falls within the legal or official authority of a particular entity.

are the responsibility of

Clearly states who is accountable for something, shifting the focus to obligation and duty.

are in the custody of

Implies a safeguarding role, where something is being protected or cared for by someone.

are looked after by

Suggests a caring or protective role, often used in the context of taking care of something valuable.

are looked over by

Implies a close examination or surveillance.

FAQs

How do I use "are held by" in a sentence?

Use "are held by" to show who possesses or controls something. For example, "The shares are held by mutual funds" or "Many powers are held by the army chief".

What are some alternatives to "are held by"?

You can use alternatives like "are possessed by", "are controlled by", or "are owned by" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is held by" or "are held by"?

"Are held by" is used for plural subjects, while "is held by" is used for singular subjects. For example, "The shares are held by the public" is correct, while "The share is held by the public" is incorrect.

What's the difference between "are held by" and "are maintained by"?

"Are held by" typically refers to possession or control, while "are maintained by" implies responsibility for upkeep. For example, "The documents are held by the archive" versus "The roads are maintained by the city council".