he is holding

USAGE SUMMARY

"he is holding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an action taking place in the present moment, e.g. "He is holding a book in his hands."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He is holding a baby.

The New York Times

HE is holding COP, backwards.

The New York Times

He is holding back tears and smiling.

The New Yorker

He is holding a bat.

The New York Times - Sports

He is holding a fax.

The New York Times - Magazine

So I know he is holding up.

The Washington Post

Think he is holding his wrist.

The Guardian - Sport

He is holding his chest like this.

The New York Times

So far he is holding up well.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

He is held for continued observation.

The Guardian

Is that a check he's holding?

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is paramount, specifying how "he is holding" something adds vividness. For example, "He is holding the fragile vase carefully."

Common error

Avoid using "he is holding" when describing a past action. Use "he was holding" instead to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he is holding" is that of a verb phrase, specifically a present continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action performed by a male subject. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is holding" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase in the present continuous tense used to describe an ongoing action. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is highly versatile and suitable for various contexts, most frequently appearing in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure accurate tense consistency and consider specifying the manner in which the holding action is performed for added clarity. Alternatives such as "he's gripping" or "he's got a hold of" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he's gripping

Focuses on the act of tightly grasping something.

he's got a hold of

Implies a firm grasp or control over something.

he has in his possession

Emphasizes ownership or control of the object.

he is clasping

Suggests a gentle or careful holding.

he is clutching

Implies holding something tightly, often due to fear or anxiety.

he is carrying

Focuses on the act of transporting something.

he is keeping

Highlights the act of retaining possession of something.

he is sustaining

Implies keeping something in a certain condition or state.

he's maintaining

Focuses on keeping something stable or in a specific position.

he is presenting

Suggests a formal act of showing or offering something.

FAQs

How can I use "he is holding" in a sentence?

"He is holding" is used to describe someone grasping or supporting something at the present moment. For example, "He is holding a microphone during the speech."

What are some alternatives to "he is holding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he is gripping", "he is carrying", or "he has in his possession".

Is "he is holding" grammatically correct?

Yes, "he is holding" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb agreement and tense rules in English.

What is the difference between "he is holding" and "he was holding"?

"He is holding" describes an action happening now, while "he was holding" describes an action that happened in the past. For example, "He is holding the baby now" vs. "He was holding the baby earlier."