earnestly held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earnestly held" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe beliefs or opinions that are sincerely and strongly maintained by an individual or group. Example: "Her views on environmental conservation are earnestly held, reflecting her deep commitment to the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In fact, the central thesis of his book — that anger is the defining characteristic of the English people — feels more like a contrarian conceit than an earnestly held belief.

The New York Times - Books

It is that he appears unable to couch, or even consider, his earnestly held beliefs in such a way as to build a consensus of support for them.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The images put out under the user name "syrianpresidency" depict the president and his glamorous wife, Asma, earnestly holding the hands of wounded soldiers or civilians, playing with children and in the midst of adoring crowds.

Los Angeles Times

Such a belief, however earnestly and honestly held, does not entitle the believers to be free of contribution to the cost of government, which itself guarantees them the privilege of pursuing their callings without governmental prohibition or interference.

Cornell University

I vividly recall sitting in that room, listening to the machines, earnestly watching the glowing screens like they held the answers I was looking for.

Huffington Post

"The more girls swear, the less they will be held in respect by blokes," he earnestly informs us, thanklessly championing the cause of feminism once again.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Rather than insisting on the removal of the statue, the Japanese government should seriously ask itself why these victims have held their weekly rallies for 20 years, never missing a week, and whether it really cannot find a way to restore the honor these woman so earnestly want".

The New York Times

He merely held Seattle scoreless in the first inning, and Yankee Stadium fans, renowned for their mercilessness, stood and cheered earnestly, a show of tender respect that nearly moved Cone to tears.

The New York Times - Sports

That earnestly laid-back vibe will continue through this fall's White Light Festival, a catchall that groups together important concerts with a "spiritual" theme — everything from a Beethoven-Messiaen program given by the Cleveland Orchestra (Nov. 4) to a performance (held in near-total darkness) by the JACK Quartet of Georg Friedrich Haas's String Quartet No. 3 (Nov. 19).

The New Yorker

If you're reading a respectable novel or an earnestly hefty historical biography, you hold it upright, in a proud right-angle to the ground.

The New Yorker

He holds his beliefs earnestly and truly believes his work is imperative to his community's well-being.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnestly held" to describe beliefs that are not just thought to be true, but are also deeply felt and influence one's actions and decisions.

Common error

While "earnestly held" is appropriate in many situations, avoid using it too frequently in formal writing. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive or overly sentimental. Instead, opt for synonyms like "sincerely believed" or "firmly convinced" to add variety and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnestly held" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (e.g., belief, conviction, view). It describes the quality of something being held with deep sincerity and conviction. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earnestly held" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe deeply sincere beliefs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression effectively conveys the strength and genuineness of a conviction. While relatively rare, it's used primarily in news and academic contexts. When writing, consider using synonyms to avoid repetition and to tailor your language precisely to the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strongly believed

Highlights the intensity and power of the belief.

firmly convinced

Emphasizes the strength of conviction and lack of doubt.

sincerely believed

Focuses on the genuineness of the belief, rather than the intensity of holding it.

passionately believed

Emphasizes the strong emotions associated with the belief.

genuinely felt

Stresses the authenticity of the emotion or belief.

resolutely maintained

Highlights the steadfastness and determination in upholding the belief.

deeply cherished

Highlights the value and emotional connection associated with the belief.

wholeheartedly embraced

Suggests a complete and enthusiastic acceptance of the belief.

conscientiously adhered to

Focuses on the moral or ethical commitment to the belief.

devoutly held

Implies a religious or spiritual level of commitment to the belief.

FAQs

How can I use "earnestly held" in a sentence?

You can use "earnestly held" to describe beliefs or opinions that are sincerely and strongly maintained. For example, "His views on social justice are "earnestly held", reflecting his deep commitment to equality".

What can I say instead of "earnestly held"?

You can use alternatives like "sincerely believed", "deeply cherished", or "firmly convinced" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "earnestly held belief" or "earnestly holding belief"?

"Earnestly held belief" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Earnestly holding belief" is grammatically awkward and not idiomatic.

What's the difference between "earnestly held" and "sincerely believed"?

While both phrases suggest a genuine conviction, ""earnestly held"" implies a stronger emotional investment and active commitment to the belief. "Sincerely believed" focuses more on the authenticity of the belief itself.