held up with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held up with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is supported or sustained by another object or factor. Example: "The bridge is held up with strong steel cables that ensure its stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some of the gowns are held up with a string".

The New York Times - Style

But through successive heat waves, the electric distribution system held up, with only occasional localized disruptions.

The New York Times

And in a cab, "you are held up with traffic, especially in the rush hour".

The New York Times

Box office fell 70%, but site average held up, with just a 9% drop.

The Guardian - Film

It's not really an airline – I assume Emirates craft aren't usually held up with string.

The Guardian - Opinion

For hundreds of years it's stood there – held up with vast oak beams.

The Guardian

The producer I worked with last week got held up with a meat cleaver.

The Guardian

They come from a gypsy world where many are held up with bullfighters as colorful, almost mythical characters.

The New York Times

In Father Ryan's tiny office, shaded by a burgundy roll-down shade held up with a paper clip, he reflected recently on his nearly 70 years in service.

The New York Times

The new visitor centre's thin undulating roof, held up with slim and occasionally crooked columns, recalls the current temporary Serpentine Pavilion in London.

Independent

The initial bid held up, with the anonymous buyer of this distinctive residence protected by a limited-liability company with a relatively unimaginative name, 763 Greenwich.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing structural support, ensure the object providing the support is clearly identified: 'The roof is held up with sturdy beams.'

Common error

Avoid vague sentences where the support is unclear. Instead of saying 'It was held up with something,' specify what is providing the support: 'It was held up with duct tape.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held up with" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating support or sustainment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct and appears in various contexts to describe something being physically or metaphorically supported by something else. For instance, "The roof is held up with sturdy beams."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the prepositional phrase "held up with" is commonly used to describe support, security, or delays across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct, most frequently appearing in News & Media sources, with Wiki and Formal & Business contexts also common. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding what provides the support, and consider synonyms like "supported by" or "delayed by" depending on the desired nuance. Ensure what provides the support can actually provide it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supported by

Indicates physical or metaphorical support, focusing on the act of bearing weight or providing assistance.

delayed by

Emphasizes the aspect of being slowed down or hindered by something.

associated with

Highlights a connection or relationship between two or more things.

secured with

Focuses on the means of fastening or making something safe and stable.

fastened by

Implies attachment, often through physical means like ropes or straps.

maintained by

Suggests ongoing support or upkeep that keeps something in place or functional.

kept in place by

Highlights the action of preventing something from moving or falling.

retarded by

Focuses on causing slowness in movement or progress.

connected via

Indicates a connection between two points using a specific medium or method.

burdened by

Implies being weighed down or encumbered, either literally or figuratively.

FAQs

How can I use "held up with" in a sentence?

You can use "held up with" to describe something physically supported (e.g., "The shelf was held up with brackets") or delayed (e.g., "The project was held up with regulatory approvals").

What's the difference between "supported by" and "held up with"?

"Held up with" often implies a more tenuous or makeshift support, while "supported by" suggests a more robust or designed support.

What can I say instead of "held up with" to describe a delay?

Consider using alternatives like "delayed by", "hindered by", or "slowed down by" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "held up with" an abstract concept?

Yes, it can be. For example, "The negotiation was held up with legal complexities" is grammatically correct and understandable. The thing to be aware of is to use this type of construction only if it makes sense from a semantic point of view.