be held together with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be held together with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe how different components or elements are connected or fastened to form a whole. Example: "The structure will be held together with steel beams and reinforced concrete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

He seemed to be held together with tape and rags, and I found that adorable, too.

The New York Times

As for Benyus, she hopes our future will be held together with detachable hooks.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other parts of the plane appeared to be held together with acrylic caulk that was peeling off in strings.

The New Yorker

Bricks coated with solar paint will be held together with cement that soaks up CO2 from the air around it.

The Guardian - Business

Sometimes it seems to be held together with sticky tape, at others built like a small bridge.

The Guardian - Arts

"It also had to be held together with other vocabulary," he said, "with virtuosity that says something about form and energy and meaning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"My wheelchair is held together with clips.

Independent

His suitcase is held together with tape.

The New York Times

Its strap was held together with duct tape.

The New Yorker

Wilson's boot was held together with twine.

The New York Times

The seats are held together with duct tape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the construction or composition of something, use "be held together with" to specify the materials or methods used to unite the components. For example, "The model airplane was held together with glue and tape."

Common error

Avoid using "be held together with" when describing abstract concepts like relationships or agreements. While you can say a team is "held together by loyalty", consider stronger verbs like 'united' or 'bound' to convey a more profound or resilient connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be held together with" functions primarily as a passive construction describing how something is connected or maintained as a cohesive unit. Ludwig confirms this usage with various examples where physical objects are described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be held together with" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to describe the materials or methods that connect components to form a cohesive unit. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting examples from diverse contexts such as news, science, and general reference. While generally neutral in register, it is crucial to avoid overuse in figurative contexts, where stronger verbs might be more appropriate. With a fairly uncommon usage frequency, this phrase serves to explain how components are connected, as well as what materials or methods are essential for maintaining an object's integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be joined by

Focuses on the act of joining, implying a connection but not necessarily structural support. Emphasizes the action rather than the means of connection.

be connected by

Similar to 'be joined by', but slightly more general, referring to any kind of connection, not just physical joining.

be fastened with

Highlights the method of attachment, suggesting a more secure and deliberate fixing.

be secured by

Emphasizes the security aspect of the connection, implying that the connection is strong and reliable.

be bonded by

Suggests a chemical or adhesive connection, implying a very strong and lasting bond.

be linked by

Implies a chain or series of connections, suggesting a more complex relationship than a simple joining.

be unified by

Suggests that the connected elements form a coherent whole, implying a sense of purpose or identity.

be sustained by

Highlights the supportive nature of the connection, implying that one element relies on the other for its existence or function.

be supported by

Similar to 'be sustained by', but more general, referring to any kind of support, not just life support.

be maintained by

Focuses on the ongoing effort required to keep the connection intact, implying that it is not a permanent or self-sustaining bond.

FAQs

How can I use "be held together with" in a sentence?

You can use "be held together with" to describe how physical objects are connected or fastened. For example, "The old book "was held together with tape"."

What are some alternatives to "be held together with"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be joined by", "be connected by", or "be fastened with".

Is it correct to say "is held together with" or "are held together with"?

The correct form depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is held together with" for singular subjects and "are held together with" for plural subjects. For instance, "The vase is held together with glue" versus "The pieces are held together with glue".

Can "be held together with" be used metaphorically?

Yes, but sparingly. While you can use it metaphorically, like saying a team "is held together by loyalty", consider whether a stronger verb might be more appropriate to convey the intended meaning.