had held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had held" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the past perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed before another action in the past. Example: "By the time the meeting started, she had held several discussions with the team to prepare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But the defenses had held.

The New York Times

The fourth board had held.

The New Yorker

Tea Party members had held a counterprotest.

The New York Times

The outpost had held on, but barely.

The New York Times

J.C. had held it in his hand.

The New Yorker

The line had held!

The New York Times

Form had held.

The New York Times - Sports

The base had held about three hundred and fifty men.

The New Yorker

Boston had held one every year since 1897.

The New Yorker

Somehow the rope had held me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Tampa Bay's defense had held St.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had held" to clearly establish the sequence of past events, ensuring that the action of holding occurred before another action in the past. For example, "By the time the negotiations began, the company had held several internal meetings to discuss their strategy".

Common error

Avoid using "had held" when a simple past tense is sufficient. "Held" should be used if there's no need to emphasize that the action occurred before another past action. For example, instead of "He had held the door open as she walked in", use "He held the door open as she walked in" if the order isn't critical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had held" functions as the past perfect tense of the verb "hold". It indicates an action that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing past possessions, positions, and events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had held" is a grammatically correct and commonly used past perfect verb phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate an action completed before another in the past, effectively establishing a clear sequence of events. Predominantly found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts, its register is neutral, fitting well in both formal and informal communication. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it when a simple past tense is sufficient, and consider alternatives like "had possessed" or "had maintained" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had retained

Stresses the idea of keeping or preserving something that was previously possessed.

had possessed

Replaces "held" with a synonym emphasizing ownership or control in the past.

had occupied

Focuses on the act of inhabiting or filling a space or position.

had maintained

Focuses on the idea of keeping something in a certain state over a period of time.

had sustained

Highlights the action of supporting or maintaining something over time, often under difficult circumstances.

had conducted

Emphasizes the action of carrying out or performing a task or activity.

had executed

Emphasizes the performance or completion of a plan or task.

had organized

Highlights the act of arranging or structuring an event or activity.

had administered

Focuses on the management or control of something, often an organization or system.

had accommodated

Indicates that something created enough room or space for someone or something else.

FAQs

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

Use "had held" to indicate that an action of holding or possessing something occurred before another action in the past. For example, "She "had held" the position for five years before she retired".

What are some alternatives to "had held"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "had possessed", "had maintained", or "had retained".

When should I use "held" instead of "had held"?

Use "held" in the simple past tense when you're not emphasizing that the action of holding occurred before another action in the past. Use "had held" in the past perfect to establish a clear sequence of past events.

Is "had held" formal or informal?

"Had held" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage depends more on the need to specify the sequence of past events rather than the level of formality.