being held up

USAGE SUMMARY

"being held up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something being delayed or hindered. For example, "The bus was being held up in traffic, so it was late for our appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Statue being held up by a forklift.

The New York Times

But it is being held up by procedural impediments.

The New York Times

They are being held up by several interconnected problems.

The Economist

He denied reports that building was being held up there.

The New York Times

"People are very unhappy for being held up by traffic.

The Guardian

I'm not worried about being held up in the neighborhood.

The New York Times

That certificate is being held up pending appeal.

The New York Times

Today the prices of many assets are being held up by unsustainable fiscal and monetary stimulus.

The Economist

Last fall, an elderly couple called after being held up at gunpoint in their driveway.

The New York Times - Magazine

You cannot go on many roads without being held up by bandits.

The New Yorker

But the proposals are being held up by the Treasury on cost grounds.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing projects or processes, use "being held up" to convey a sense of temporary delay rather than a permanent termination. It suggests the issue is resolvable.

Common error

While "being held up" is versatile, in very formal or academic writing, consider alternatives like "experiencing delays" or "encountering impediments" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being held up" functions primarily as part of a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject is experiencing a delay or obstruction. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being held up" is a versatile phrase used to describe a delay or obstruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in academic and business contexts. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives for highly professional writing. Remember that it often implies an external force causing the delay. Alternatives include "being delayed", "being hindered" and "being obstructed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being delayed

Focuses specifically on the aspect of time and postponement.

being hindered

Emphasizes the obstruction or impediment aspect.

being obstructed

Highlights a physical or figurative barrier.

being stalled

Suggests a complete stop or standstill.

being impeded

Similar to hindered, but often implies a more formal or systematic obstruction.

being restrained

Implies a force preventing movement or progress.

being detained

Often used in legal or security contexts, suggesting a temporary holding.

being kept back

Emphasizes prevention from advancing or progressing.

being snagged

Suggests a sudden, unexpected obstruction.

being bogged down

Implies becoming trapped or slowed down in something difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "being held up" in a sentence?

You can use "being held up" to describe something or someone experiencing delays. For example, "The shipment is "being held up" at customs" or "The project is "being held up" by funding issues".

What can I say instead of "being held up"?

Alternatives include "being delayed", "being hindered", or "being obstructed". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "being held up" formal or informal?

"Being held up" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and professional communication. However, in highly formal contexts, consider more sophisticated alternatives such as "experiencing delays" or "encountering impediments".

What's the difference between "being held up" and "being delayed"?

While similar, "being held up" often implies an external force causing the delay, whereas "being delayed" is a more general term. Something "being held up" suggests an obstacle or impediment is the reason for the delay.