held down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held down" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is restrained, suppressed, or prevented from moving freely. Example: "The weight of the responsibilities held him down, making it difficult for him to pursue his dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That held down wages.

The Economist

Rain held down turnout.

The New York Times

She held down taxes and extended services.

The New York Times

Maybe held down by string, maybe not.

The Guardian

Resigned and held down two jobs with the N.Y.

The New Yorker

EU spending has also been held down, reducing net contributions.

The Economist

Everything is held down with pink masking tape.

The New Yorker

Men dressed as Santa Claus held down screaming women.

The New Yorker

Trade has probably held down blue-collar workers' wages.

The Economist

That figure may be held down by a regulatory change.

The New York Times

"They need to be held down," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held down" to describe economic factors, consider the passive voice to emphasize the forces at play. For example, "Wages were held down by market conditions".

Common error

Avoid using "held down" as an active verb when a passive construction is more appropriate. Incorrect: "The government held down prices." Correct: "Prices were held down by the government."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held down" primarily functions as a phrasal verb in the passive voice, indicating an action of restraining, suppressing, or controlling something. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held down" is a versatile and commonly used expression that functions primarily as a phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, typically conveying the idea of restraint, suppression, or maintenance. Its register is generally neutral, with frequent usage in news media and science, with neutral formal register. Understanding its nuances and potential pitfalls—such as misuse in active voice constructions—can significantly enhance writing precision. When considering alternatives, options like "repressed", "constrained", or "inhibited" can offer nuanced substitutions depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept under control

Focuses on the aspect of maintaining control over something.

kept in check

Similar to 'kept under control', but with a slightly different nuance.

restrained

Focuses on the act of holding back or controlling oneself or something else.

repressed

Highlights the act of suppressing or subduing something.

suppressed

Stresses the act of forcefully preventing something from developing or being expressed.

constrained

Emphasizes the limitation or restriction imposed.

curbed

Highlights the restriction or limitation of something, often in terms of behavior or growth.

inhibited

Implies a hindering or preventing effect.

maintained

Emphasizes the action of keeping something at a certain level or standard.

anchored

Implies that something is fixed or secured in place.

FAQs

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

You can use "held down" to describe something being physically restrained (e.g., "The suspect was held down by police"), or metaphorically (e.g., "Her potential was held down by societal expectations").

What is a synonym for "held down" that I can use instead?

Depending on the context, you might use synonyms like "repressed", "constrained", or "inhibited".

Is it correct to say something is "being held down"?

Yes, "being held down" is grammatically correct and represents the present continuous passive form. For example, "The protesters are being held down by the authorities".

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

"Held down" is the past participle or simple past tense, while "hold down" is the base form. For example, "He held down two jobs" (past) vs. "It's difficult to hold down a job in this economy" (present).