be held against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how someone's actions or decisions may be judged or criticized by others. Example: "Her past mistakes should not be held against her when considering her for the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It could be held against us".

The New York Times

Nor should his ambition be held against him.

Independent

HOW long should a man's crimes be held against him?

The Economist

If I say anything it might be held against me.

The New York Times

"Why should your background be held against you?

Independent

You wouldn't think that would be held against you.

The New York Times - Magazine

These diversions should not be held against Mr. Brenner.

The New York Times - Arts

Still other readers say that Maris's relatively short career should not be held against him.

The New York Times

We think transgressions of a serious nature should be held against them in the future".

The New York Times

It is that last figure that will be held against him.

Independent

"Every word I say will be held against me," he said finally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider the degree of negativity the phrase conveys; it implies a sense of judgment or potential disadvantage.

Common error

Avoid using "be held against" when you intend to express active judgment. The phrase is passive; ensure the subject is receiving the action, not performing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held against" functions as a passive construction, where an action or characteristic is considered as a potential negative factor when evaluating someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be held against" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it indicates that a past action or attribute could negatively affect current evaluations. It frequently appears in news and media, conveying a neutral yet potentially critical tone. When writing, ensure the passive voice accurately reflects the intended meaning, and consider the level of formality appropriate for your context. Explore alternative phrases such as "be penalized for" or ""count against"" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be judged negatively for

Emphasizes a negative evaluation or assessment.

count against

Implies a reduction or disadvantage due to something.

be penalized for

Focuses specifically on imposing a penalty or punishment.

be marked down for

Similar to "penalized for", often in academic contexts.

reflect badly on

Indicates a negative impact on reputation or perception.

be blamed for

Places responsibility for a negative outcome.

be frowned upon

Suggests disapproval or social stigma.

be used as evidence against

Specifically relates to legal or accusatory contexts.

work against

Implies that something is detrimental or counterproductive.

be detrimental to

Signifies harm or damage caused by something.

FAQs

How can I use "be held against" in a sentence?

You can use "be held against" to indicate that a past action or characteristic could negatively affect someone's current situation. For example, "His youthful indiscretions should not "be held against" him when considering his job application".

What's a less formal alternative to "be held against"?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "count against", or "reflect badly on", depending on the specific context. For example, "That mistake might "count against" you".

Is it correct to say "will be hold against" instead of "will be held against"?

No, "will be hold against" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "will "be held against"", using the past participle "held".

When should I use "be held against" versus "be blamed for"?

"Be held against" implies a potential negative consequence or judgment, while "be blamed for" indicates direct responsibility for something negative. "His lack of experience might "be held against" him" suggests it could hinder him. "He was "be blamed for" the error" indicates he is considered responsible.