being held with a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being held with a" is not correct in standard written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you are describing a situation involving restraint or support, but it requires additional context to clarify its meaning. Example: "The suspect is being held with a security detail until further notice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We're being held with a gun to our heads".

The New York Times

Or, if the child is being held with a rear bear hug, a head butt followed by a hand strike to the groin or a stomp on the top of the foot could give the child an opportunity to escape.

The New York Times - Health

They considered sending a letter bomb to him in the jail where he was being held with a false witness protection program return address so no one else would open it, the investigators said.

The New York Times

In the intervention groups three individual sessions of 50 75 minutes are being held with a clinical psychologist over the course of three to four weeks (see Figure  2).

BMC Cancer

Go to the jail where the person is being held with a check, cashier's check, or money order in the amount of the bail.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

A raffle was held, with a Love-stamp refrigerator magnet and other items as prizes.

The New Yorker

The Kolofata group was held with a number of Chinese who escaped from the jungle camp.

Independent

We were held with a diverse group of clearly nonviolent and sometimes very frightened people.

The Guardian - Opinion

The committee adopted the new constitution in April 1948, and on August 25 elections for members of the Supreme People's Assembly were held with a single list of candidates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some have been held with a knife to their throat, or had shotguns meeting them as they step through a door.

The Guardian

Sir Jeremy, left, said extensive meetings would be held with a wide range of Sierra Leoneans, international military officers and relief workers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reconsider the use of "being held with a". Often, a more direct verb or a different preposition can improve clarity and grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "being held with a rope", use "held by a rope".

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice construction "being held with a" when an active voice alternative is more concise and clear. Passive voice can sometimes obscure the actor and make the sentence less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being held with a" functions as a passive construction indicating that something is being restrained or supported by a particular tool or method. Ludwig suggests that it is not commonly used in standard written English and can often be replaced with a more direct and clear alternative.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being held with a" is a grammatically questionable construction that can often be improved by using a more direct and active voice. While it appears in some sources, like scientific publications and news articles, its awkwardness makes it less than ideal for formal writing. Consider alternative phrasing such as "held by", "restrained by", or "secured with" for greater clarity and impact. According to Ludwig, this phrase is "not correct" in standard written English and may lead to confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being kept with

Replaces "held" with "kept", suggesting containment or maintenance in a certain state or location.

being restrained by

Focuses on the act of preventing movement or action, emphasizing the restriction aspect.

being secured with

Highlights the action of fastening or protecting using a specific item or method.

being supported by

Suggests physical or metaphorical assistance, where something is upheld or maintained.

being gripped by

Emphasizes a strong, often emotional, hold or influence exerted upon something or someone.

being confined within

Implies a restriction to a specific area or boundary, changing the nuance from simple holding.

being possessed of

Shifts the meaning to indicate ownership or endowment, a significant semantic change.

being influenced by

Indicates that something is being affected or swayed, diverging from the holding concept.

being treated with

Changes the context to the administration of a remedy or process.

being associated with

Indicates a connection or relationship, not necessarily physical holding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being held with a" to sound more natural?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "held by", "restrained by", or "secured with" to improve clarity.

Is "being held with a" grammatically correct?

While not strictly ungrammatical, "being held with a" can sound awkward. Ludwig AI suggests it's "not correct" in standard written English and might lead to confusion. Rephrasing is often preferable.

What is a better alternative to "being held with a gun to our heads"?

A more direct and impactful alternative is "held at gunpoint". This eliminates the passive voice and clarifies the threat.

When is it appropriate to use "being held with a"?

It's best to avoid "being held with a" unless you specifically need to emphasize the ongoing state of being held and the instrument used for holding. However, even in those cases, there are likely clearer options.