held me back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held me back" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to talk about an emotion or an event that prevented you from doing something. For example, "My fear of failure held me back from applying to my dream job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It kind of held me back from athletics.

Wikipedia

That's what held me back".

The New York Times

This has held me back.

The Guardian

Being a woman never held me back.

The Washington Post

That might have held me back.

The Guardian

What's held me back, I don't know.

The New York Times - Sports

That held me back terribly as an actor.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Things that had held me back wouldn't hold him back.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Other coaches have been somewhat reserved and held me back".

The New York Times - Sports

'She helped eliminate the problems that held me back.

The Guardian

I started to board it but T. held me back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing personal or professional setbacks, use "held me back" to clearly communicate the factors that impeded your progress. Be specific about what "held you back" to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "held me back" as a means to deflect personal responsibility. Instead, use it to objectively describe circumstances or external factors that genuinely hindered your progress, without assigning blame.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held me back" functions as a phrasal verb indicating causation, specifically describing something that prevented or hindered someone's progress or achievement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held me back" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating something that hindered progress or achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Predominantly found in news and media, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what exactly "held you back" and avoid misattributing blame. Alternatives like "hindered my progress" or "impeded my advancement" can be used to add nuance. Understanding the proper usage helps in effectively communicating personal or professional setbacks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hindered my progress

Focuses on the slowing down of advancement.

impeded my advancement

Emphasizes obstruction of upward movement.

restrained me

Highlights the act of being kept under control or limited.

limited my potential

Focuses on restricting the full development of abilities.

curtailed my opportunities

Emphasizes a reduction in available chances or possibilities.

stifled my growth

Highlights the suppression of personal or professional development.

hampered my efforts

Focuses on making attempts more difficult or challenging.

inhibited my ability

Emphasizes a reduction in capability or skill.

constrained my actions

Highlights the restriction of movement or behavior.

set me back

Indicates a temporary delay or setback.

FAQs

How can I use "held me back" in a sentence?

You can use "held me back" to describe something that prevented you from achieving your goals. For example, "Fear of failure "held me back" from pursuing my dream career".

What are some alternatives to "held me back"?

Alternatives include "hindered my progress", "impeded my advancement", or "restrained me" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "held me back" or "held back"?

The phrase "held me back" is more direct and personal, indicating a specific obstacle affected you. "Held back" can be more general. The best choice depends on the context and desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "held me back" and "was holding me back"?

"Held me back" implies a completed action in the past, while "was holding me back" suggests a continuous or ongoing impediment in the past. For example, "The injury "held me back" from competing", versus "The injury "was holding me back" throughout the season".