are held for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are held for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is being kept or reserved for a specific purpose or person. Example: "The tickets are held for you at the box office until the show starts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Too many are held for minor crimes.

The New Yorker

They are held for ransom and often tortured.

The New York Times

All items are held for two weeks before being discarded.

The New York Times

Poses are held for anywhere between one and 10 minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

South American horses are held for 7 days.

The New York Times

Theatre parties are held for the benefit of college alumni funds, hospitals, politicalgroups & other worthy causes.

The New Yorker

The NTC has promised to disband once elections are held for an interim government.

Independent

In modern times, meetings of the Privy Council are held for the making of formal decisions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Visit to Webster Hall where subscription dances are held for people who like to waltz.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

– Immigration detainees are 'held for excessive period'.

Vice

These conditions are held for 15 min before returning to the initial conditions.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are held for" to clearly indicate the reason or purpose for which something is being kept or reserved. This helps avoid ambiguity and provides context for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "are held for" when the intended meaning is that someone is currently holding something for another person. "Are held for" implies a purpose, while "are holding for" suggests a temporary act of possession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are held for" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that something is being kept, reserved, or designated for a specific purpose, recipient, or duration. This construction is versatile, appearing across various contexts as demonstrated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

22%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are held for" is a versatile and very common passive verb phrase used to indicate that something is being kept or reserved for a specific reason, purpose, or individual. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. The analysis reveals its frequent occurrence in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, suggesting a neutral register. Related phrases like ""are reserved for"" and ""are intended for"" offer similar meanings. When writing, ensure the phrase is used to express the reason for something being held and avoid confusing it with expressions of temporary possession. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and accurately use the phrase "are held for" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are reserved for

Replaces 'held' with 'reserved', emphasizing a prior arrangement or setting aside.

are intended for

Substitutes 'held' with 'intended', highlighting the purpose or design of the holding.

are designated for

Uses 'designated' instead of 'held', focusing on the act of assigning something for a specific use.

are kept for

Employs 'kept' instead of 'held', stressing the act of maintaining possession for a reason.

are retained for

Replaces 'held' with 'retained', suggesting something is kept for future use or reference.

are maintained for

Uses 'maintained' instead of 'held', indicating the act of preserving something in a certain condition for a purpose.

are allocated for

Substitutes 'held' with 'allocated', highlighting the distribution of something for a specific use.

are saved for

Employs 'saved' instead of 'held', stressing the act of setting something aside for later use.

are stored for

Replaces 'held' with 'stored', emphasizing the act of keeping something in a specific place for a reason.

are set aside for

Uses 'set aside' instead of 'held', focusing on the action of reserving something for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "are held for" in a sentence?

Use "are held for" to indicate the reason or purpose for which something is being kept. For example, "Tickets are held for you at the box office" or "These funds are held for future investments".

What's a good alternative to "are held for"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "are held for" include "are reserved for", "are intended for", or "are designated for".

Is it correct to say "is held for" instead of "are held for"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is held for" for singular subjects (e.g., "This item is held for you") and "are held for" for plural subjects (e.g., "These items are held for you").

What is the difference between "are held for" and "are being held for"?

"Are held for" generally describes a state or purpose, while "are being held for" describes an ongoing action. For example, "These seats are held for the VIPs" indicates a permanent reservation, whereas "These seats are being held for the VIPs" implies a temporary hold.