held by

USAGE SUMMARY

"held by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "held by" when referring to something that is being managed or owned by someone or something. Example: The company's assets are held by the CFO.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Republican seats held by Foley and Reps.

The Economist

Around half are held by security officials.

The Economist

Of those, 67 are held by Democrats.

The New York Times

Four more seats are held by independents.

The Economist

The previous record was held by Iraq.

The New York Times - Sports

Most patents are held by rich westerners.

The Economist

It was later held by the Mughals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was held by them, fixed.

The New Yorker

A smaller share is held by Luxembourg.

The New York Times

Italy's must be held by next spring.

The Economist

speed record held by Mr. Kittinger.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held by" to clearly indicate who or what is responsible for possession, control, or containment. Ensure the subject and object of the phrase are clearly defined for unambiguous meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "held by" in overly convoluted passive sentences where the actor is obscured. Aim for clarity by rephrasing to highlight the responsible party directly. For example, instead of "The meeting was held by a committee appointed by the CEO", write "A committee appointed by the CEO held the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held by" functions as a passive construction indicating possession, control, or containment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. It connects a subject with the entity that possesses or controls it, as seen in examples like "Copyright held by the authors."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

13%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held by" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to indicate possession, control, or containment. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writing. While generally neutral, its specific formality depends on the context. Consider alternatives like "possessed by" or "controlled by" for nuanced meanings. Remember to ensure clarity in your sentences and avoid convoluted passive constructions. The phrase's versatility and frequent use make it a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possessed by

Uses a different verb to indicate ownership or control.

owned by

Directly indicates ownership instead of a more nuanced sense of holding.

controlled by

Emphasizes the aspect of control rather than just physical holding.

managed by

Focuses on the management aspect of holding something.

retained by

Emphasizes the act of keeping or not relinquishing something.

maintained by

Highlights the responsibility of upkeep and maintenance involved in holding.

in the custody of

Indicates a formal or legal holding.

under the auspices of

Suggests holding something under the guidance or protection of another entity.

secured by

Highlights the safety and security aspect of the holding.

occupied by

Suggests a physical presence or inhabitation.

FAQs

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

Use "held by" to indicate possession, control or containment. For example: "The documents are held by the legal team", or "The record was held by the previous champion".

What's the difference between "held by" and "owned by"?

"Held by" implies possession or control, while "owned by" strictly indicates legal ownership. Something can be "held by" someone without them owning it, and vice versa.

What are some alternatives to "held by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "possessed by", "controlled by", or "managed by".

Is it correct to say "the event was held by" someone?

Yes, it is correct. It signifies that someone or some organization organized and conducted the event. For instance, "The conference was held by the university".