be upholding

USAGE SUMMARY

"be upholding" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of maintaining or supporting a principle, law, or standard. Example: "It is essential to be upholding the values of integrity in our organization." Alternative expressions include "maintain," "support," and "uphold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

They should be upholding that debate," he added.

Independent

Often, the culprits are the very government officials who are supposed to be upholding the laws.

The New York Times

The sheriff's office will be upholding the law, punishable by a $150 fine.

The Guardian

"She cannot be upholding the impartiality of the broadcasting regulator whilst tweeting pro-Conservative, anti-Labour material about TV debates.

The Guardian

Or the committee may only be upholding a code that is so strict in places that experts say it is open to legal challenge.

The New York Times

At stake is Iran's image in the wider region, and its ability to add teeth to its claim to be upholding Arab and Muslim interests in confronting Israel.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

The law has to be upheld.

Independent

"Besides, there are traditions to be upheld".

Independent

The sovereignty of nations must be upheld.

The New York Times

This can no longer be upheld.

SEP

I want justice to be upheld.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair with modal verbs like 'should', 'must' or 'ought to' to express moral or legal imperatives.

Common error

Do not confuse the active continuous form "be upholding" with the passive form 'be upheld'. Use "be upholding" when the subject is the one doing the supporting (e.g. 'The police should be upholding the law').

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be upholding" functions as a continuous infinitive verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is primarily used to denote an ongoing state of maintenance or support. It typically follows modal verbs (should, would, could) or verbs of intent (claim, seem, meant) to indicate a prolonged responsibility rather than a one-time event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be upholding" is a correct and effective phrase for describing the continuous act of supporting a law, principle or tradition. Ludwig AI indicates that it is highly prevalent in investigative journalism and political commentary where the ongoing conduct of authority figures is scrutinized. It is best used when you want to emphasize that maintenance is a process rather than a completed action. Writers should ensure they use this active form when the subject is the agent of support and may consider alternatives like "be maintaining" or "be defending" to refine their meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be maintaining

Suggests a broader sense of keeping something in its current state or condition

be preserving

Emphasizes keeping something from being changed, damaged or lost

be defending

Implies a more active or protective stance against potential opposition or attack

be supporting

A more general and common alternative for providing assistance or agreement

be protecting

Implies shielding a standard or right from harm

be enforcing

Specifically focuses on the active implementation of rules or laws

be sustaining

Focuses on providing the necessary resources or strength for something to continue

be honoring

Suggests fulfillment of an agreement, tradition or moral obligation

be championing

Indicates a high level of enthusiastic advocacy and leadership

be validating

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy or truth of a principle

FAQs

How do I use "be upholding" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe an ongoing action or duty, such as: "Government officials are expected to "be upholding" the constitution at all times."

What is the difference between "be upholding" and "uphold"?

While both mean to support or maintain, "be upholding" emphasizes the continuous nature of the action, whereas "uphold" is a simple infinitive often used for a single instance or general fact.

What is a more formal alternative to "be upholding"?

In very formal legal or academic contexts, you might use phrases like "be maintaining" or "be preserving" depending on the specific object being supported.

Can I use "be upholding" when referring to traditions?

Yes, it is very common to use it in this context, for example: "They believe they are "be upholding" a long-standing family tradition."