held the view that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held the view that" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to have a particular opinion or belief about something. You can use this phrase when discussing someone's beliefs, opinions, or perspectives, either in the past or present tense. Example: He held the view that education is the key to success. Example: The researcher's study reflects the view that climate change is caused by human activity. Example: My grandmother held the view that hard work is the key to a successful life.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Warming to his theme, Perloff let fly: "I have long held the view that: 1) It is foolish to upset your Landlord.

The Guardian - Business

The film director Stanley Kubrick held the view that Clarke's ability was unique.

The Guardian - Books

Labour also held the view that punishment would reduce use and hence harms.

The Guardian - Opinion

Furthermore, around a quarter of pupils held the view that going to university was "too expensive".

The Guardian

Dr. Epstein has long held the view that global warming will have a serious effect on health.

The New York Times

In terms of radio, I've always held the view that the more things change - the more they remain the same".

The Guardian

Audulomi, another pre-Badarayana Vedanta philosopher, is said to have held the view that the finite individual becomes identical with brahman after going through a process of purification.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I've long held the view that in all things art and design, you can feel the spirit and demeanor of those who create them.

The New Yorker

He is thus a determinist, although scholars have held the view that he might leave room for chance, if not for freedom of will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For far too long, the core euro zone economies have apparently held the view that different rules should apply to them compared with their less virtuous neighbors.

The New York Times

James in England, have held the view that ritual behaviour signifies or expresses the sacred (the realm of transcendent or ultimate reality).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "held the view that" with strong verbs to emphasize the strength or duration of the belief (e.g., "firmly held the view that", "long held the view that").

Common error

Avoid using "held the view that" to describe someone's current beliefs. It's more appropriate for past opinions or beliefs that may or may not still be held. Use "holds the view that" or "believes that" for present beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held the view that" functions as a transitive verb phrase introducing a subordinate clause that expresses someone's opinion or belief. It is frequently used to report on past perspectives or stances, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held the view that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a past belief or opinion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing perspectives across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing, remember to reserve it for past beliefs and consider alternatives like "believed that" or "maintained that" for nuance. Using it well can add precision and clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

believed that

Emphasizes the act of believing something to be true.

maintained that

Highlights a consistent and unwavering belief.

was of the opinion that

Formally expresses having a particular opinion.

took the position that

Indicates a formal stance or viewpoint.

was convinced that

Conveys a strong sense of certainty.

thought that

A more casual way of expressing a belief or opinion.

posited that

Suggests a formal presentation of an idea or theory.

considered that

Implies a thoughtful evaluation leading to a belief.

assumed that

Indicates a belief taken for granted without proof.

presumed that

Similar to assumed, but suggests a slightly stronger basis for the belief.

FAQs

How can I use "held the view that" in a sentence?

You can use "held the view that" to express someone's past opinion or belief about something. For example, "The professor held the view that critical thinking was essential for students".

What's a good alternative to "held the view that"?

Alternatives include "believed that", "maintained that", or "was of the opinion that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "holds the view that" instead of "held the view that"?

Yes, "holds the view that" is correct for describing a current belief. "Held the view that" is used for past beliefs.

What is the difference between "held the view that" and "believed that"?

"Held the view that" often implies a more considered or formal opinion, while "believed that" is a more general term for holding something to be true.