does not hold

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not hold" is a perfectly valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is untrue or incorrect. For example, "His statement that the earth is flat does not hold."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He does not hold back.

The New York Times

But the analogy does not hold.

The New York Times

The same does not hold with oil.

The New York Times

But the weave does not hold.

The New York Times - Arts

Lucey does not hold customers' money.

The Economist

But the comparison does not hold up.

The New York Times - Style

She does not hold it against Stefan.

The Guardian - Film

The flame catches but does not hold.

The New Yorker

But it does not hold up now.

The Guardian - Opinion

This comparison does not hold water.

The New York Times

Thus, does not hold.

Advances in Difference Equations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not hold" to clearly express that a statement, theory, or assumption is invalid or incorrect in a given context.

Common error

Avoid using "does not hold" when a simpler term like "is wrong" or "is false" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where you're specifically addressing the failure of a premise or argument to remain valid under scrutiny.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not hold" functions as a negative assertion, indicating that a statement, condition, or theory is not true or valid. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse fields demonstrating this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not hold" is a versatile expression used to indicate that a statement, condition, or theory is invalid or incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It appears frequently in scientific literature, news articles, and formal business communications. While alternatives like "is not valid" or "is not applicable" exist, "does not hold" often carries a nuanced implication that something once considered true is no longer so. When employing this phrase, ensure it fits the context and aim for clarity to effectively convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not valid

Replaces "hold" with a more direct term for validity.

does not apply

Emphasizes the lack of application in a specific situation.

is not applicable

Focuses on the lack of relevance or suitability.

is not true

Indicates a direct contradiction of truth.

is incorrect

Highlights that something is wrong or inaccurate.

is not the case

Offers a more general way to express that something is not so.

is disproven

Directly states that something has been proven false.

is refuted

Implies that something has been disproven.

is unfounded

Highlights the lack of a solid basis or evidence.

fails to stand up

Suggests an inability to withstand scrutiny or testing.

FAQs

How can I use "does not hold" in a sentence?

You can use "does not hold" to indicate that a statement, theory, or condition is not true or valid. For example, "This assumption "does not hold" in all cases."

What are some alternatives to "does not hold"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is not valid", "is not applicable", or "is not true", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "does not hold" or "is not true"?

"Does not hold" can sometimes sound more formal, particularly in academic or technical writing. However, "is not true" is a straightforward alternative that is suitable in many contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "does not apply" instead of "does not hold"?

Use "does not apply" when something is not relevant or pertinent to a specific situation, while "does not hold" indicates that a statement or theory is invalid or incorrect.