he holds

USAGE SUMMARY

"he holds" is a grammatically correct part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it any time you want to refer to someone performing an action or state of being. For example: He holds the door open for his friends as they walk in.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He holds her".

The New York Times

He holds his ground".

The New York Times - Sports

He holds them accountable".

The New York Times - Sports

He holds food drives.

The New Yorker

He holds extraordinary power.

The Economist

He holds a B.S.

Columbia University

He holds a M.Sc.

University of California, Berkeley

He holds a B.Arch.

Cornell University

He holds 47 patents.

Columbia University

He holds the best cards.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He holds a B. Eng.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he holds" to describe someone's position or belief, ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's a temporary state or a long-held conviction. For instance, "he holds the door" suggests a momentary action, while "he holds strong beliefs" implies a lasting conviction.

Common error

Avoid using "he holds" interchangeably with phrases that imply active management or leadership. While "he holds a meeting" might seem correct, it's more appropriate to say "he leads a meeting" or "he chairs a meeting" to accurately convey the action of directing the session.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he holds" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "he" is the subject and "holds" is the verb. It indicates an action performed by the subject, such as physically holding an object or maintaining a belief. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its standard grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

34%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he holds" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction, commonly used across a wide range of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific sources underscores its broad applicability. Whether describing physical actions, beliefs, or responsibilities, "he holds" serves as a fundamental building block in conveying information about an individual's actions and attributes. Be mindful of the specific context to ensure accurate usage, avoiding potential misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "he maintains" or "he possesses" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, enhancing the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he maintains

Replaces "holds" with "maintains", suggesting a sustained possession or belief.

he possesses

Substitutes "holds" with "possesses", emphasizing ownership or control.

he retains

Uses "retains" instead of "holds", highlighting the act of keeping something.

he keeps

Employs "keeps" as a more general term for maintaining possession or state.

he is in possession of

Rephrases "he holds" to emphasize the state of possessing something.

he has

A simple substitution using "has" to indicate ownership or possession.

he carries

Uses "carries" to suggest physically holding or bearing something.

he is the holder of

Transforms the phrase to emphasize the role or title of holding something.

he controls

Replaces "holds" with "controls", implying authority or command.

he clasps

Substitutes "holds" with "clasps", suggesting a firm grip or embrace.

FAQs

How can I use "he holds" in a sentence?

The phrase "he holds" can be used to describe physical actions, like "he holds the baby", or abstract concepts, such as "he holds a belief". The meaning is generally that of keeping or maintaining something.

What are some alternatives to "he holds"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "he maintains", "he possesses", or "he retains".

Is it correct to say "he holds responsibility"?

While grammatically correct, it's more common and natural to say "he bears responsibility" or "he has responsibility". Using "bears" or "has" more directly conveys the weight or burden of responsibility.

What's the difference between "he holds" and "he is holding"?

"He holds" is a simple present tense, often used for habits or general truths. "He is holding" is present continuous, indicating an action happening now. For example, "he holds the record" (general truth) versus "he is holding the trophy" (action happening now).