hold

USAGE SUMMARY

'hold' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to express the idea of grasping or restraining something. For example: "Hold the ladder steady while I climb up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Money

Sport

Arts

Lifestyle

Opinion

Music

Society

Film

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But don't hold your breath.

The New York Times

Don't hold your breath.

The New York Times

"The British government is working with others in the world to bring peace to Gaza and we do now have a tentative ceasefire which we all hope will hold".

The Guardian

The amounts would need to be proportionate – we mustn't penalise legitimate visa applicants who will struggle to get hold of the money.

The Guardian

In a reference to Cameron's inner circle, she added: "I don't hold the fact that someone went to public school against them.

The Guardian

I don't hold [against them] the fact that they haven't had the breadth of experience that some of us who didn't go to public school have had.

The Guardian

"To hold it in a context where some basic fundamental rights are markedly absent, indeed, denied to the population, is to commit a travesty".

The New York Times

For Tsipras, the youngest leader to hold high office in modern times, what lies ahead is a litany of choices with potentially explosive effect.

The Guardian

Nick Clegg, who has been briefed by the prime minister on the speech, will reject Cameron's pledge to hold a referendum by 2017 on the grounds that it is wrong to commit Britain to such a specific timetable when there is uncertainty over whether negotiations will take place.

The Guardian

Food banks hold no terror for him any more.

The Guardian

The ground can only hold 11,700 people and it was widely expected work would begin to meet the need for rising ticket demand soon after their first promotion to the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, use specific verbs such as 'grasp', 'maintain', or 'retain' when more precision is needed instead of the more general verb, "hold".

Common error

Avoid using "hold" passively when a more direct verb would improve clarity. For example, instead of "The event was held", prefer "They organized the event".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "hold" is a verb. It expresses a variety of actions, including grasping, containing, maintaining, or organizing. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Travel

10%

Money

8%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Arts

6%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold" is a highly versatile verb with multiple meanings, ranging from grasping and containing to maintaining and organizing. Ludwig AI confirms this through its extensive collection of examples, noting its correct and widespread use. Its prevalence in news, travel, and financial contexts underscores its broad applicability. While generally neutral in register, paying attention to context and considering more precise alternatives such as "grasp", "maintain", or "retain" can enhance clarity and impact. Avoiding passive constructions and clearly specifying the object being held or the event being organized will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grasp

Focuses on the physical act of taking and maintaining a grip.

maintain

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in a certain state or condition.

retain

Highlights the continuous possession of something.

keep

A general term for maintaining possession or control.

organize

Specifically refers to arranging or conducting an event.

conduct

Suggests managing or carrying out an activity or event.

accommodate

Implies having the capacity to contain or store something.

restrain

Focuses on the act of limiting or controlling something or someone.

bear

Emphasizes the act of carrying or supporting something, either physically or metaphorically.

consider

Highlights the act of thinking about or regarding something in a certain way.

FAQs

How can I use "hold" in a sentence?

You can use "hold" to mean grasp (e.g., "Hold my hand"), contain (e.g., "This box holds books"), or organize an event (e.g., "They will hold a conference").

What can I say instead of "hold"?

You can use alternatives like "grasp", "maintain", or "retain" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "hold a meeting" or "organize a meeting"?

Both "hold a meeting" and "organize a meeting" are correct, but "organize a meeting" is often perceived as more formal and direct.

What's the difference between "hold on" and "wait"?

"Hold on" typically implies a short wait or to pause briefly, while "wait" can refer to a longer duration or more general anticipation.