has held steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has held steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has remained constant or unchanged over a period of time. Example: "The company's profits have held steady despite the economic downturn."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Confidence in the police has held steady.

The Economist

Manufacturing activity has held steady despite a global industrial slowdown.

The Economist

The city's plumbing work force has held steady.

The New York Times

But spending on tradesmen's services has held steady.

The Economist

That number has held steady for three years.

The New York Times

The number of trips to meet friends outside their homes has held steady.

The Economist

The city's population has held steady, and the demographic mix in the school system has stabilized.

The New York Times

In fact, the rate has held steady at approximately 1 percent of the adult population.

The New York Times

Prices have softened considerably since the boom, though activity has held steady.

The New York Times

Household spending has held steady, despite falling wages and higher unemployment, because prices are also falling.

The New York Times

Confidence in the police has held steady at just above fifty per cent.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “has held steady” to convey a sense of reliability and stability, especially in contexts where fluctuations are expected or might cause concern.

Common error

Avoid using "has held steady" when there's been minor fluctuation. This phrase implies a near-perfect consistency, so slight variations would make it inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has held steady" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the main predicate. It indicates that a particular quantity, rate, or condition has remained constant over a period of time. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct and readily usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has held steady" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a state of stability or consistency over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. It is most often encountered in news reports and business documents. When writing, ensure that the timeframe is clearly defined and that the context accurately reflects a lack of significant fluctuation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has shown no change

Directly states the absence of any alteration or modification.

has remained constant

Emphasizes the unchanging nature over a period.

has stayed consistent

Highlights the uniformity and predictability of the subject.

has maintained its level

Focuses on the preservation of a specific value or position.

has not fluctuated

Directly indicates the absence of variation or instability.

has leveled off

Suggests that a previously changing value has stopped changing and become stable.

has stabilized

Implies a previous state of instability that has now resolved.

has plateaued

Describes a situation where growth or progress has ceased, resulting in a flat trajectory.

has evened out

Conveys a sense of balance and equilibrium after a period of unevenness.

has become static

Highlights the lack of movement or dynamism in the subject.

FAQs

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

The phrase "has held steady" is used to describe something that has remained at the same level or amount over a period of time. For example, "Despite the economic downturn, consumer spending "has held steady"".

What are some alternatives to "has held steady"?

Alternatives include "has remained constant", "has stayed consistent", or "has maintained its level", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "has held steady" or "has remained steady"?

Both "has held steady" and "has remained steady" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context, but "has held steady" may slightly emphasize active resistance to change.

Can "has held steady" be used to describe a temporary situation?

While "has held steady" implies a degree of stability, it doesn't necessarily mean the situation is permanent. However, it's more appropriate for describing a period of relative consistency rather than a fleeting moment.