held between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'held between' is correct and usable in written English.
It generally refers to two separate entities being connected by something else, such as an action, emotion, circumstance, or event. For example, "The two sides were held between a desire for peace and a fear of the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A honeybee held between two fingers is crushed to death.

The New York Times

Annual meetings are to be held between the two governments.

The Guardian

Urgent talks were then held between the parties.

Independent

After preliminary talks, a meeting was held between the principals on Dec. 29.

The New York Times

Stormin' Norman, a gigantic gray snapper, seemed to enjoy being held between our bare hands.

The New York Times - Travel

■ Portuguese elections will be held between 20 September and 11 October.

The Guardian

"For three months our daughter was held between life and death," he later said.

The Guardian - Sport

Another debate is expected to be held between Tsipras and Meimarakis next week.

The Guardian

The talks are being held between Nedlloyd and Maersk Sealand of Copenhagen, a unit of Moeller.

The New York Times

The first televised Presidential debate was held between Kennedy and Nixon, in 1960.

The New Yorker

A ceremony will be held between the games to honor the heroes from the terrorist attacks.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held between" to clearly indicate a state of containment, influence, or positioning within defined limits. For example, "The negotiation was held between the two companies to resolve their disputes."

Common error

Avoid using "held between" when simply describing a loose association. This phrase implies a more direct, containing relationship, not merely a connection. For instance, instead of saying 'the event was held between several locations' consider 'the event took place across several locations' if there isn't a core area containing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held between" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of being contained or positioned within two distinct entities or points. As Ludwig AI indicates, this implies a relationship of containment or influence. Examples show its use in describing meetings, time periods, and physical locations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The prepositional phrase "held between" effectively communicates containment, influence, or location within specific boundaries. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly used. It serves to position something relative to two distinct points, whether physical entities, abstract concepts, or periods of time. While versatile, it's important to ensure its application accurately reflects a relationship of containment rather than simple connection. Common contexts include news, science, and formal communication, confirming its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

positioned between

Highlights a deliberate placement within boundaries.

caught between

Emphasizes being trapped or conflicted between opposing forces.

situated among

Focuses on physical placement within a group or range.

balanced between

Indicates an equilibrium or compromise between different elements.

encompassed by

Implies being completely surrounded or included.

suspended between

Suggests a temporary or unstable state of being in the middle.

sandwiched between

Suggests being tightly packed or compressed between two things.

located amidst

Implies being surrounded by or in the middle of something else.

intermediate to

Formally denotes something lying in a middle position.

interposed between

Highlights the action of placing something between two entities.

FAQs

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

The phrase "held between" is used to describe something that is contained or positioned within two distinct entities or parameters. For example, "The peace talks were held between the two warring nations", or "The secret was held between the closest friends".

What are some alternatives to "held between"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "situated among", "encompassed by", or "positioned between" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "held in between"?

While "held between" is the standard and more concise form, "held in between" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "held between" and "caught between"?

"Held between" suggests a neutral positioning within boundaries, while "caught between" implies a struggle or conflict between opposing forces. For instance, you might be "held between" two job offers, but "caught between" loyalty and ambition.