has held firm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has held firm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has remained strong, stable, or unchanged over a period of time. Example: "Despite the challenges, the company's commitment to quality has held firm throughout the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The city has held firm.

The New York Times

Musically it has held firm.

The Guardian - Music

But the Treasury has held firm.

The Guardian - Business

Since then, the moratorium has held firm.

The Guardian

Mr. Hariri, to his credit, has held firm.

The New York Times

But the Polisario has held firm to its demands for independence.

The New York Times

Despite several apologies down the years, the Merseyside boycott of the Sun has held firm for the past 25 years.

The Guardian

But the administration has held firm with Snowden because to do otherwise could open the floodgates for future leakers.

The Guardian

Assemblywoman Deborah J. Glick is also impressed that Ms. Benstock has held firm when "subject to ridicule and vilification".

The New York Times

Dempsey also suggested that while Obama has held firm, he might be persuaded to change his mind.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But Mr. Blahnik has held firm on prices for at least three seasons.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has held firm" to convey the idea that a policy, belief, or value has been consistently maintained despite challenges or changes. For example, "The company's commitment to sustainability has held firm, even during economic downturns."

Common error

Avoid using "has held firm" when you need to express active effort or improvement. The phrase implies maintenance of an existing state, not proactive change. Instead of saying "The team has held firm in their efforts to innovate", consider "The team has persisted in their efforts to innovate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has held firm" functions as a stative verb phrase, indicating a state of remaining constant or unchanged despite potential opposing forces. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing examples where it describes policies, beliefs, or positions that have been maintained.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has held firm" is a versatile and commonly used expression that denotes stability, resilience, and unwavering commitment. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in news, formal documents, and general communications to convey that something has maintained its position or strength despite potential challenges. To enhance your writing, use it when you want to emphasize the persistence of a policy, belief, or value. Remember to avoid using it when you intend to express active change or improvement. Alternatives such as "has remained resolute" or "has stood its ground" can provide nuanced options depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has remained resolute

Emphasizes unwavering determination and a firm stance.

has stood its ground

Implies resisting pressure or opposition and maintaining a position.

has maintained its position

Focuses on keeping a specific rank or status without change.

has stayed the course

Highlights persistence and commitment to a chosen path or plan.

has kept to its principles

Stresses adherence to a moral or ethical code.

has not wavered

Implies steadfastness and a lack of indecision or fluctuation.

has resisted change

Highlights opposition to alterations or modifications.

has been unwavering

Emphasizes a firm and constant stance without deviation.

has stayed strong

Focuses on maintaining power and resilience.

has remained unchanged

Highlights a lack of alteration or modification over time.

FAQs

How can I use "has held firm" in a sentence?

Use "has held firm" to indicate that something has maintained its position or strength despite opposition or challenges. For example: "Despite the controversy, the company's policy "has held firm"."

What are some alternatives to saying "has held firm"?

You can use alternatives such as "has remained resolute", "has stood its ground", or "has maintained its position" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate: "has held firm" or "has remained firm"?

Both "has held firm" and "has remained firm" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. However, "has held firm" often implies a more active resistance to change, while "has remained firm" simply indicates a continuation of the same state. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific situation you're describing.

What's the difference between "has held firm" and "has stood firm"?

"Has held firm" suggests maintaining a position against some pressure, whereas "has stood firm" implies unwavering support or belief. Both phrases indicate strength, but their connotations differ slightly. For example, "The government has held firm on its economic policy" versus "She has stood firm in her support for human rights".