fails to hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fails to hold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not maintain its validity, strength, or effectiveness in a particular context. Example: "The theory fails to hold when applied to real-world scenarios, as it does not account for various external factors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly, today such a definition fails to hold water.

Britannica

The London market fails to hold on to early gains.

The Guardian - Business

It looks good on television but it fails to hold the mayor to account.

The Guardian - Opinion

Big as it is, it fails to hold the entire team.

The New York Times - Sports

Mauresmo fails to hold another service game, with her woeful serve to blame.

The Guardian - Sport

And some officials caution that such a step may not be enough if Madrid fails to hold the line.

The New York Times

Critics argue that the process costs governments more over the long term and fails to hold private operators to account.

The Guardian

Analysts whose research fails to hold up quickly find that fund managers will no longer return their calls.

The New York Times

The first is its determination to build a "partnership with the professionals": this emphasis fails to hold producers adequately to account.

The Economist

This is surely why the thesis that over time the proportion of men and women will naturally continue to level out fails to hold water.

Independent

The Department of Health and Human Services "fails to hold homes with a long history of harming residents accountable for the poor care provided," the investigators said.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fails to hold", ensure the context clearly establishes what is expected to be maintained or remain valid. Avoid vague or ambiguous references to ensure clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fails to hold" as a needlessly complex substitute for simpler negations like "is not true" or "is not valid", especially in informal writing. Choose the most direct and clear phrasing for your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fails to hold" functions as a predicate in sentences, indicating that a particular condition, theory, or expectation is not maintained or valid. As Ludwig AI states, it's a usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fails to hold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something lacks validity or effectiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves to negate expectations or assumed states. When writing, ensure the context clearly defines what should be maintained, and avoid overly complex sentence structures when simpler alternatives are available. By understanding its nuances and contexts, you can confidently incorporate "fails to hold" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not valid

Indicates that something is not legally or factually sound.

lacks validity

Emphasizes the absence of factual or logical support for a statement or idea.

does not stand

Suggests that an argument, claim, or theory cannot be maintained or defended.

is not effective

States that something does not produce the intended or desired result.

cannot be sustained

Suggests that something is unable to continue or be maintained over time.

does not apply

Indicates that a rule, principle, or concept is not relevant or valid in a specific situation.

does not apply

Indicates the lack of applicability of something in a specific scenario.

is not borne out

Indicates that evidence or results do not support an expectation or prediction.

does not work

Implies that a method, solution, or approach is ineffective or unsuccessful.

proves ineffective

Highlights the inefficacy or inadequacy of something after a period of use or testing.

FAQs

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

The phrase "fails to hold" indicates that something is not valid or effective in a given situation. For example, "The theory "fails to hold" when applied to complex systems."

What are some alternatives to "fails to hold"?

You can use alternatives such as "is not valid", "does not apply", or "does not stand" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "fails to hold" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that something expected to be true or valid is, in fact, not. It's often used in more formal or technical contexts to indicate a breakdown of a principle or expectation.

Is "fails to hold" formal or informal?

The phrase "fails to hold" is generally considered more formal. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "doesn't work" or "isn't true" may be more appropriate.