held in servitude

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held in servitude" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing forced labor, slavery, or situations where someone is bound to serve another against their will. Example: "Throughout history, many individuals have been held in servitude, deprived of their freedom and rights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

It would, above all, focus American and international attention on the millions of people still held in servitude.

The New York Times

The Met's unit has dealt with cases of people held in servitude against their will for around 10 years.

The Guardian

Try as they might, those who thought black people should legally be held in servitude just couldn't agree on a standard.

Independent

I'm sure that the abolitionists would be shocked and horrified to see how people are procured, trafficked and held in servitude in countries that proclaim to be the most progressive in the world.

The Guardian

In London we've investigated cases where people have been held in servitude or forced labour for up to 10 years but 30 years is quite extraordinary and not something we've seen before The women are being looked after by professionals at the moment.

The Guardian

And those that are being held in servitude in the UK – in brothels, children in organised crime gangs of shoplifters, illegal immigrations "handcuffed" to nail bars or tied to takeaways as kitchen staff – may wonder just how aware the communities around them are of their precarious situation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Most are held in bonded servitude, particularly after taking loans they could not repay.

The New York Times

The Plot: Kavi, a young Indian boy, is held in indentured servitude, forced to make bricks alongside his parents.

Huffington Post

They were held in "Involuntary servitude," recognized by that document and the Framers only as "three-fifths of a man".

Huffington Post

Men, women, and children are held in domestic servitude; forced or sold into prostitution; and coerced into laboring in restaurants, janitorial services and other workplaces.

Huffington Post

RHR reveals the horrifying and the ugly: trafficked workers held in near servitude; Israeli settlers blocking Palestinians from harvesting their olive trees; U.S. prisoners secretly tortured.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or contemporary forms of slavery or human trafficking, using the phrase "held in servitude" can provide a precise and legally recognized description of the victim's condition. Ensure the context clearly indicates the involuntary nature of the servitude.

Common error

Avoid using "held in servitude" when describing voluntary work or contractual agreements where individuals willingly provide services in exchange for compensation or other benefits. The phrase specifically refers to situations of forced labor and a lack of freedom.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held in servitude" functions as a descriptive phrase, often used to denote a state of forced labor or involuntary service. As Ludwig AI confirms, it correctly identifies situations where individuals are deprived of their freedom. It is commonly used in legal and human rights contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held in servitude" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe situations of forced labor or involuntary service. Ludwig AI confirms its correct application in contexts discussing the deprivation of freedom. While its frequency is uncommon, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its acceptance in formal writing. It's crucial to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the context involves coercion and a lack of voluntary consent, as highlighted in the writing guidance. The alternatives provided offer similar meanings, with varying degrees of specificity, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in involuntary servitude

Emphasizes the lack of willingness, making it a stronger statement about freedom.

kept in slavery

Synonymous, focusing on the state of being enslaved.

enslaved

Directly implies ownership and forced labor, lacking the broader sense of obligation conveyed by the query.

in forced labor

Specifies that the person is being subjected to work against their will

subjected to forced labor

Highlights the action of forcing someone into labor, shifting focus.

in forced labor

Focuses specifically on the labor aspect of the servitude, omitting other potential forms of control.

in bondage

Implies a state of being bound or restrained, similar to servitude but can also have other connotations.

in indentured servitude

Indicates a specific type of servitude, usually involving a contract or agreement, even if forced.

in captivity

Suggests being confined, which might not necessarily involve forced labor.

under coercion

Highlights the element of pressure and lack of consent.

FAQs

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

You can use "held in servitude" to describe situations where individuals are forced to work against their will, such as "The victims were "held in servitude" for years, deprived of their basic rights".

What's the difference between "enslaved" and "held in servitude"?

"Enslaved" directly implies ownership, while "held in servitude" encompasses a broader range of forced labor and restricted freedom, not necessarily involving ownership.

What are some alternatives to "held in servitude"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "in forced labor", "in bondage", or "in involuntary servitude".

Is "held in servitude" the same as slavery?

While closely related, slavery is a specific form of servitude involving ownership. "Held in servitude" is a broader term encompassing various forms of forced labor and restricted freedom that don't necessarily involve ownership but are still coercive.