held onto

USAGE SUMMARY

"held onto" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea of keeping something in your possession or control. For example, you could say, "I held onto my lucky charm throughout the entire exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He held onto him".

The New York Times

Saul held onto that.

The New York Times

Whisper held onto him tenaciously.

The New York Times

They held onto each other.

The New York Times

It held onto it.

The New York Times - Sports

He held onto the papers and paintings.

The New York Times - Arts

There he held onto for dear life.

The New York Times

She still held onto her Manhattan apartment.

The New York Times

But I held onto my notes.

The New York Times

No dummy, she held onto it.

The New York Times - Books

Don, you held onto the dream.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held onto" to convey a sense of perseverance or determination in maintaining possession, beliefs, or relationships, for example, "Despite the challenges, she held onto her dreams".

Common error

While "held onto" is versatile, consider more formal synonyms like "retained" or "maintained" in academic or professional contexts to enhance the writing's sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held onto" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of maintaining possession or control, whether physical or abstract. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held onto" is a versatile and widely used phrasal verb that signifies maintaining possession, control, or a particular belief. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While generally neutral in tone, consider using more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts. Its frequency is very common, primarily appearing in news and media sources. Mastering its usage involves understanding the nuances of perseverance and determination it conveys. Be aware of the slight preference for the "held onto" spelling over "held on to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept hold of

Simply indicates maintaining physical or figurative grasp.

clung to

Emphasizes a desperate or tenacious grip.

kept a grip on

Implies a firm hold, both physically and figuratively.

retained possession of

Focuses on the act of keeping something one owns.

maintained control of

Highlights the aspect of keeping something under one's authority.

stuck with

Suggests a continued association or loyalty.

did not relinquish

Formal way to say that something wasn't abandoned or released.

preserved

Stresses the act of maintaining something in its original state.

remained committed to

Focuses on a sustained dedication or promise.

stood by

Emphasizes continued support or adherence to something.

FAQs

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

You can use "held onto" to describe keeping physical possession of something, as in "He "kept hold of" the railing", or to describe maintaining a belief or idea, as in "She "clung to" her values".

What are some alternatives to "held onto"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "retained", "maintained", ""clung to"", or ""kept hold of"".

Is "held onto" formal or informal?

"Held onto" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both informal and many formal contexts. However, in highly formal writing, consider using synonyms like "retained" or "preserved".

What's the difference between "held onto" and "held on to"?

While both forms are understandable, "held onto" is the more common and accepted spelling. "Held on to" can sometimes be seen, but it's less frequent and might be perceived as slightly less polished.