held out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of extending something towards someone or to indicate that something was maintained or persisted despite challenges. Example: "She held out her hand to help him up after he fell."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others held out longer.

The New York Times

My luck held out.

The New Yorker

She held out a token.

The New Yorker

He held out his hand.

The New Yorker

I held out my hand.

The New Yorker

He held out his arms.

The New Yorker

Bradford held out for more.

The New York Times

Goode held out his arms.

The New Yorker

Michel held out his arms.

The New Yorker

He held out the broken knife.

The New Yorker

Some people held out cups of water.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held out" to describe the act of persisting or resisting in a difficult situation. For example, "The team held out against the opponent's relentless attacks."

Common error

Avoid confusing "held out" with "hold on", which usually means to wait or to grip something tightly. Using them interchangeably can lead to miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "held out" is as a phrasal verb, specifically the past tense of "hold out". As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, it is used to describe the act of extending something or maintaining a position against challenges. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from offering a hand to resisting an attack.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

21%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "held out" is a versatile expression widely employed across diverse contexts. As Ludwig AI states, it primarily signifies either the physical act of extending something or the resilience to withstand challenges. With a neutral register, it finds frequent usage in news and media, alongside encyclopedic and scientific sources. When aiming for variety, consider synonyms like "extended" or "maintained". Remember to avoid confusion with "hold on". "Held out" is a robust and readily understandable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stood firm

Conveys unwavering resolve and resistance to change or pressure.

maintained

Emphasizes persistence and resilience; applicable when referring to withstanding challenges.

withstood

Highlights the ability to resist or endure adverse conditions.

remained steadfast

Emphasizes unwavering loyalty and commitment to a cause or principle.

extended

Indicates a physical act of offering or presenting something; less idiomatic than the original.

persevered

Focuses on continuing despite difficulties, often with a sense of determination.

resisted

Implies active opposition or defense against something.

offered

Similar to "extended", focusing on the act of providing something.

endured

Suggests bearing something difficult or unpleasant over a period of time.

kept up

Implies maintaining a certain level or pace, or continuing to do something.

FAQs

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

"Held out" can be used to describe physically extending something, as in "He "held out his hand"", or to describe resisting or enduring, as in "They "held out against the attack"".

What's a synonym for "held out" when it means 'extended'?

When "held out" means 'extended', you can use synonyms like "offered" or "presented" depending on the context.

What's a synonym for "held out" when it means 'resisted'?

When "held out" means 'resisted', you can use synonyms like "withstood", "endured" or "remained steadfast".

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

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