held in check

USAGE SUMMARY

"held in check" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a situation where something is being prevented, restrained, or limited in some way. For example, "The risk of the pandemic spreading was held in check by the early implementation of safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mutual suspicion was held in check.

The Economist

How is this held in check?

The Guardian - Opinion

The capabilities of both are clearly held in check.

MIT Technology Review

Here we discuss how the APC/C is either held in check or released.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Reviews on Cancer

It is also why expectations must be held in check for the coming season.

The New York Times - Sports

The effect is of strong emotion held in check by a magisterial intellect.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Knight, the Panthers' leading scorer, was held in check most of the game.

The New York Times - Sports

Johnson, held in check by Seattle's swarming defense, had 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Tamberg said personnel costs had been held in check by attrition.

The New York Times

And Primeau was held in check for the first time in the series.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Baird said today that he now expected demand to be held in check by conservation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held in check" when you want to emphasize that something is being actively restrained or prevented from escalating. Consider the context and choose synonyms if you want to highlight specific aspects like suppression or inhibition.

Common error

Avoid using "held in check" when describing a situation that is naturally stable without external intervention. This phrase implies an active force is preventing something from happening, so ensure that the context reflects this active restraint.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held in check" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is being actively restrained or controlled by an external force or factor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Sports

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held in check" is a versatile phrase used to describe something actively restrained or prevented. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase implies an active force preventing escalation or manifestation. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize restraint, but be mindful of passive contexts where a natural stability exists without external intervention. By understanding its nuances and appropriate usage, you can effectively convey the idea of active restraint in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept under control

Focuses on maintaining control rather than explicitly mentioning prevention.

restrained

Emphasizes the act of limiting or controlling something's freedom or expression.

curbed

Suggests a reduction or limitation, often implying a previously excessive state.

suppressed

Implies a more forceful and potentially complete prevention of something's manifestation.

inhibited

Highlights the slowing down or hindering of a process or action.

repressed

Suggests a psychological aspect of holding something back, often emotions or desires.

constrained

Focuses on limitations imposed by external forces or circumstances.

impeded

Highlights the obstruction or hindrance of progress or movement.

retarded

Implies a slowing down or delay in development or progress.

bottled up

Specifically refers to emotions or feelings being kept inside.

FAQs

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

You can use "held in check" to describe anything actively restrained or prevented. For example, "The spread of misinformation was "held in check" by fact-checking initiatives".

What are some alternatives to "held in check"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "kept under control", "restrained", or "curbed".

Is it more appropriate to say "held in check" or "kept in check"?

"Held in check" and "kept in check" are both valid and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference and flow within the sentence.

What's the nuance between "held in check" and "suppressed"?

"Held in check" suggests an ongoing effort to restrain something, while "suppressed" implies a more forceful and potentially complete prevention or stifling of something.