continuing to hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing to hold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of maintaining a position, belief, or state over a period of time. Example: "Despite the challenges, the company is continuing to hold its market position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"Continuing to hold on is a necessity".

The New York Times

Continuing to hold him only further alienates the international community".

The Guardian

How is that solved by continuing to hold him unjustly?

The New Yorker

"So I was continuing to hold to the position that another resolution was not necessary".

The Guardian

Your continuing to hold will be taken as consent for your name to be used.

The Guardian - Opinion

Continuing to hold offenders, after their prison sentences are completed, under the guise of "treatment"?

The New York Times

Access also accused JPMorgan of continuing to hold the troubled securities despite knowing they were inappropriate for the portfolio.

The New York Times

On Thursday, that story was one of President Obama continuing to hold leads in most polls of critical states.

The New York Times

What's more, the French are continuing to hold onto a chunk of their savings for rainy days they see coming.

The New York Times

Protesters are continuing to hold general assemblies in Portland, and gather each Sunday to plan new actions.

The Guardian

Mr. Fornaro said AirTran wants the cuts to begin Aug. 1, and was continuing to hold discussions with its unions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continuing to hold", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being maintained – a position, belief, item, etc. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "continuing to hold" when the action has stopped or is not ongoing. Instead, choose a past tense verb or a phrase that indicates completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing to hold" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as part of a larger verb construction to express an ongoing action. Examples from Ludwig show it describing the maintenance of positions, beliefs, or physical objects over time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Huffington Post

5%

eLife

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continuing to hold" is a versatile gerund phrase used to denote the sustained nature of an action, whether it involves physical possession, maintaining a belief, or upholding a position. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It frequently appears in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, indicating its neutrality and broad relevance. While alternatives like "maintaining" or "retaining" exist, "continuing to hold" emphasizes the duration and persistence of the action. The phrase is "very common" and best used when clarity about what is being maintained is provided, ensuring the action is indeed ongoing to avoid temporal inaccuracies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining possession of

Focuses specifically on keeping physical or abstract possession, adding emphasis to ownership.

remaining in control of

Emphasizes ongoing authority or management over something.

sustaining ownership of

Focuses on the act of sustaining a formal right or title to something.

persisting in keeping

Highlights the act of steadfastly maintaining something, emphasizing determination.

upholding a position on

Focuses specifically on maintaining a particular stance or viewpoint.

retaining a grip on

Implies effort in keeping something, suggesting a potential challenge in maintaining control.

holding steadfastly to

Underscores the firmness and resolve in maintaining adherence to a belief or position.

preserving one's grasp on

Highlights the effort to maintain control or understanding of something, suggesting potential slippage.

keeping up with

Emphasizes maintaining pace or level with something that may be changing.

persevering in the retention of

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to retain something, often in the face of difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "continuing to hold" in a sentence?

You can use "continuing to hold" to describe an ongoing action of maintaining a position, belief, or physical object. For instance, "The company is "continuing to hold" its market share despite increased competition."

What are some alternatives to "continuing to hold"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintaining", "retaining", or "persisting in" instead of "continuing to hold".

Is there a difference between "continuing to hold" and "continue to hold"?

"Continuing to hold" is a gerund phrase, often used as part of a longer verb phrase (e.g., "is continuing to hold"). "Continue to hold" is an infinitive phrase, often used to express a future or habitual action. The former emphasizes the ongoing nature more directly.

When is it inappropriate to use "continuing to hold"?

Avoid using "continuing to hold" when the action is not ongoing or has already ceased. In such cases, use past tense verbs or phrases to accurately reflect the completed action. For instance, use "held" instead of ""continuing to hold"" when describing a past event.