held back

USAGE SUMMARY

"held back" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, "I held back my tears as I said goodbye." You can use the phrase "held back" to describe someone restraining their emotions or blocking something from happening. For example, "The chancellor held back the implementation of the new policy due to public criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our cities held back.

Independent

Obama held back on Tuesday.

The New York Times

Papa Francesco!," they held back.

The New Yorker

Why had he held back?

The New York Times

But I held back.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I haven't held back.

The Guardian - Books

The press held back.

The Guardian

But I held back the tears.

The New York Times

For a moment, Essence held back.

The New York Times

So far, museums have held back.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Stern held back — a little.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing emotional restraint, ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is doing the restraining. For example, instead of just "tears were held back", specify "she held back tears".

Common error

Avoid using "held back" passively without clarifying who or what caused the restraint. For instance, instead of saying "progress was held back", clarify who or what held it back, making the sentence "the recession held back progress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held back" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically the past tense of the phrasal verb 'hold back'. It describes the action of restraining, impeding, or preventing something from progressing or being expressed, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held back" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of restraining, impeding, or preventing something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use, particularly within News & Media. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the restraining or what is being impeded. Be mindful of potential passive voice constructions to maintain a clear and active writing style. By considering context and source authority, you can confidently and effectively incorporate "held back" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restrained

Focuses on the act of controlling or limiting something, often emotions or actions.

impeded

Emphasizes the hindering or obstructing of progress or movement.

hindered

Similar to 'impeded', but can also imply a more gradual or subtle obstruction.

constrained

Highlights the limitations or restrictions placed upon something.

suppressed

Suggests the forceful prevention of something from being expressed or revealed.

curbed

Implies a controlled reduction or limitation of something.

kept in check

Focuses on maintaining control and preventing something from exceeding acceptable limits.

deterred

Emphasizes the act of discouraging or preventing someone from doing something through fear or doubt.

retarded

Highlights the slowing down or delaying of progress or development.

stifled

Implies the suppression or suffocation of something, preventing its full development.

FAQs

How can I use "held back" in a sentence?

You can use "held back" to describe someone restraining their emotions, as in "She "held back" her tears". It can also describe something preventing progress, such as "The economic downturn "held back" the company's growth".

What is a synonym for "held back"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "restrained", "impeded", or "hindered". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say "was held back"?

Yes, "was "held back"" is grammatically correct and represents the passive voice. For example, "The information was "held back" from the public".

What's the difference between "held back" and "held down"?

"Held back" generally means restrained or prevented from progressing, while "held down" often means physically restrained or suppressed. For example, "He "held back" his anger", versus "They "held down" the struggling patient".