held on

USAGE SUMMARY

"held on" is a grammatically correct phrase and is suitable for use in written English.
It is usually used to describe the action of delaying or persisting in a certain course of action. For example, "The government held on to the policy, despite intense pressure from the public to change it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They've held on, though — just.

The New York Times

Yundi held on tight to Jimin.

The New Yorker

We just held on in the end".

Independent

However, they held on for a draw.

Wikipedia

If held on, that is pass interference.

WikiHow

It is only held on by clips.

WikiHow

Amazingly he held on.

The Economist

Learners held on.

The New York Times

I held on.

Independent

Writer held on.

The New Yorker

But Detroit held on.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held on" when you want to emphasize the act of maintaining a grip, position, or state despite challenges. It can apply to both physical and abstract situations.

Common error

Avoid using "held on" interchangeably with phrasal verbs like "held up" or "held back". "Held on" emphasizes maintaining a state, while "held up" suggests delay and "held back" implies restraint.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "held on" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating the action of maintaining a grip, position, or state. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts of physical holding and metaphorical persistence. It can also function transitively when followed by 'to', like 'held on to it'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held on" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe maintaining a grip, position, or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for general use. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, demonstrating its wide applicability in describing both physical and abstract scenarios. Related phrases include "persevered" and "persisted". When using "held on", be mindful of its specific meaning of maintaining something against opposing forces, and avoid confusing it with similar phrasal verbs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hung on

Similar to "held on" but can also imply a precarious or desperate situation.

carried on

Implies continuing a task or activity, often after an interruption or setback.

persevered

Implies continued effort despite difficulty, focusing on the act of not giving up.

persisted

Highlights the continuation of an action or state over time, often against resistance.

maintained

Focuses on keeping something in its current state, resisting change or loss.

retained

Indicates keeping possession of something, often in a formal or legal context.

clung to

Emphasizes a tight grip, either physical or metaphorical, suggesting a strong desire to retain something.

stood firm

Highlights unwavering resolve and resistance to pressure or influence.

endured

Suggests withstanding hardship or suffering while continuing to exist or operate.

withstood

Focuses on resisting the effects of something damaging or challenging.

FAQs

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

"Held on" can be used to describe physically holding something, like "She "held on tightly" to the railing". It can also describe maintaining a position or state, such as "The team "held on for the win"".

What does "held on" mean?

"Held on" generally means to continue holding something, to maintain a position, or to persevere through a difficult situation. It implies resisting forces that might cause one to lose grip or give up.

What are some synonyms for "held on"?

Alternatives to "held on" include "persevered", "persisted", "maintained", and "clung to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "holded on" instead of "held on"?

No, "holded on" is grammatically incorrect. The past tense of "hold" is "held", so the correct form is "held on".