held to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that something is considered or regarded in a certain way, often by a court or authority. Example: "The contract was held to be valid despite the minor discrepancies in the terms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The statute was held to be void.

Cornell University

They were held to be void.

Cornell University

As a parodist, he is frequently held to be unsurpassed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

shall also be held to be a manufacturer of oleomargarine...

Cornell University

As journalists they are held to be beyond reproach.

The Guardian

Most of those figures are widely held to be exaggerated.

The New York Times

Here Socrates is held to be the model.

The New York Times - Books

Such stimulation is widely held to be beyond our reach, an unfortunate misconception.

Medical Hypotheses

The RPREE is often held to be a contradiction to the conventional PREE.

Learning and Motivation

Democracy is held to be inherently prone to good order and peace.

The New York Times

"Santa is still, by everybody, held to be a sacred image.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held to be" in formal writing when you want to convey a sense of established judgment or widely accepted opinion.

Common error

Avoid using "held to be" in casual or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "considered" or "thought to be" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held to be" functions primarily as a passive construction indicating a judgment or belief that is formally recognized or widely accepted. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable presence in written English. It connects a subject with a state or quality attributed to it.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

18%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held to be" is a versatile phrase used to express formal judgments, accepted beliefs, or recognized qualities. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in formal contexts such as legal, academic, and journalistic writing. Its function is to convey established perspectives, and while highly suitable for professional and scholarly discourse, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Alternatives such as "considered to be", "deemed to be", and "regarded as" can provide nuanced variations in meaning while maintaining grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considered to be

Emphasizes a thoughtful evaluation or opinion, differing slightly in tone.

deemed to be

Suggests a formal judgment or decision, often by an authority.

regarded as

Focuses on how something is viewed or perceived by others.

believed to be

Highlights a personal or collective conviction about something.

thought to be

Indicates a tentative or speculative assessment.

understood as

Stresses the interpretation or comprehension of something.

viewed as

Similar to "regarded as", but may imply a more subjective perspective.

recognized as

Emphasizes the acknowledgment or acceptance of something's status or quality.

considered as being

A more verbose version of "considered to be", adding emphasis.

taken to be

Indicates that something is assumed or interpreted in a particular way.

FAQs

How can I use "held to be" in a sentence?

The phrase "held to be" is used to express a formal judgment or widely accepted belief about something. For example, "The document was held to be legally binding."

What are some alternatives to "held to be"?

Alternatives include "considered to be", "deemed to be", or "regarded as", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "held to be" or "considered to be"?

"Held to be" carries a stronger connotation of formal judgment or established opinion, often in legal or official contexts, while "considered to be" is more general and can apply to personal opinions or less formal assessments.

What's the difference between "held to be" and "assumed to be"?

"Held to be" implies a judgment based on evidence or authority, whereas "assumed to be" suggests a belief without concrete proof. Therefore, the first expresses more certainty.