has held

USAGE SUMMARY

"has held" is a perfectly grammatical and valid part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it as the verb in the perfect tense to indicate that an action was completed in the past with consequences that continue into the present. For example: "She has held the job of mayor for the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He has held meetings.

The New York Times - Sports

Tech has held F.S.U.

The New York Times

(His restraint has held strong.

The New Yorker

But it has held up.

The New York Times

The country has held together.

The Economist

Every job he has held?

The New York Times

But, through violence, he has held power.

The New York Times

Oklahoma has held on to beat T.C.U.

The New York Times

Confidence in the police has held steady.

The Economist

Until now, it has held up better.

The New York Times

Household spending has held up surprisingly well.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has held" to indicate that someone or something maintained a position, condition, or object up to the present moment. It effectively bridges past actions with present relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "has held" when you strictly mean a past action with no present consequence. Use the simple past tense ("held") instead when the action is entirely in the past and doesn't affect the present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has held" functions as the main verb in a present perfect construction. It indicates an action that began in the past and continues into the present, or whose effects are still relevant now. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage effectively.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has held" is a present perfect verb phrase used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present, or have present relevance. It appears frequently in news, business, and general contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It is important to differentiate its usage from the simple past tense, "held", which refers to a completed action in the past with no present connection. Considering these points will help you use "has held" accurately and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has maintained

Focuses on the continuation of a state or condition, emphasizing persistence over time.

has possessed

Highlights ownership or control, applicable when "has held" refers to holding a position or title.

has occupied

Emphasizes the act of filling a role or space, suitable when referring to positions or territories.

has retained

Indicates keeping something that was previously gained, stressing the act of not losing it.

has kept

A more general term for maintaining possession or control, adaptable to various contexts.

has administered

Suggests active management or governance, relevant when "has held" refers to a leadership role.

has exercised

Emphasizes the active use of power or authority, applicable in contexts of leadership or control.

has enjoyed

Focuses on the benefits or advantages derived from holding a position or status.

has accomplished

Highlights achievements and successes gained while holding a position or responsibility.

has seen

Indicates experience or observation during a tenure, emphasizing the passage of time and events.

FAQs

How do I use "has held" in a sentence?

Use "has held" to describe an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has a present result. For example, "She "has held" the position for five years."

What are some alternatives to "has held"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "has maintained", "has possessed", or "has retained". Choose the alternative that best fits the intended meaning.

When should I use "has held" versus "held"?

Use "has held" when the action of holding continues to the present or has a present relevance. Use "held" when the action is entirely in the past and completed with no ongoing effect. For example, "She held the door open yesterday" (past) vs "She "has held" the door open for years" (past to present).

What is the difference between "has held" and "is holding"?

"Has held" describes a continuous action up to the present, while "is holding" describes an action happening right now. For instance, "She "has held" the record since 2010" (past to present), versus "She is holding the trophy now" (present action).