held that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held that" is a perfectly valid part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that a certain opinion or point of view was expressed by some authority or body. For example, "The Supreme Court held that the defendant was guilty of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"He held that office together".

The New York Times

But I held that thought.

The New York Times - Travel

He said he still held that conviction.

The New York Times

Games held that kind of interactive potential.

The New York Times - Tech

Denmark held that title.

The New York Times

He held that position from 1971 to 1987.

The New York Times - Arts

He still held that view.

The Guardian

He held that position at his death.

The New York Times

The first fair was held that fall.

The New York Times

Christie's held that auction in 1995.

The New York Times

Rallies were held that evening in London.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held that", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify who or what entity "held that" belief or position.

Common error

Avoid using "held that" in contexts where the belief or position is still currently held. Use "holds that" instead to indicate a present belief.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held that" functions as a reporting verb, indicating that a person or entity maintained a specific belief, opinion, or position. Ludwig examples showcase its use in reporting legal opinions, personal convictions, and philosophical viewpoints.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held that" is a versatile reporting verb used to convey that someone or some entity maintained a particular belief or position in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used in various reputable sources. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in encyclopedias and wikis. When using "held that", ensure that the subject is clearly defined and the tense is used correctly. Consider alternatives like "believed that", "maintained that", or "argued that" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained that

Focuses on consistency and persistence in holding a belief.

asserted that

Emphasizes a confident and forceful declaration of a belief or opinion.

believed that

A general and neutral way of expressing a held belief or opinion.

contended that

Suggests arguing or debating in support of a particular point of view.

posited that

Indicates proposing an idea or theory, often for further consideration or debate.

argued that

Highlights the use of reasoning and evidence to support a specific viewpoint.

opined that

Suggests expressing a personal opinion or judgment.

theorized that

Implies developing a formal theory or hypothesis to explain something.

was of the opinion that

A more formal and elaborate way of expressing a personal belief.

took the view that

Highlights a specific perspective or viewpoint on a particular issue.

FAQs

How to use "held that" in a sentence?

Use "held that" to indicate that someone or some entity previously maintained a particular belief or position. For example, "The court "held that" the evidence was inadmissible."

What can I say instead of "held that"?

You can use alternatives like "believed that", "maintained that", or "argued that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "held that" or "holds that"?

"Held that" refers to a past belief or position, while "holds that" refers to a current one. Use "held that" when discussing a past stance and "holds that" for a present stance.

What's the difference between "held that" and "stated that"?

"Held that" implies a belief or opinion, while "stated that" simply means something was said. You "hold" an opinion and "state" a fact or information.