hold carefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold carefully" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when instructing someone to handle an object with caution to avoid damage or injury. Example: "Please hold carefully while I adjust the display." Alternative expressions include "grip gently" and "handle with care."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Bananas, potatoes, and eggs she must hold carefully whilst scrambling down.

The Guardian - Books

Each night, they will hold carefully staged panels featuring people Mr. Gore has met during the campaign -- some of them just happen to be Democratic delegates -- talking about the big issues, like health care, crime and the economy.

The New York Times

Hold carefully to avoid shake and apply as required.

WikiHow

Hold carefully between the thumb and forefinger and pull: Use quickly.

WikiHow

Scoop up a pup with care, placing it on the palm of your hand to hold carefully and using your other hand to cover and prevent it from falling.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Each meal began with a ritual carillon de l'amitié, the four wineglasses held carefully by the stems so the sound would ring out clearly.

The New Yorker

He needs to be fed and blessed, to be given some gold and silver, to be patted on the back after feedings and held carefully behind the neck.

The New Yorker

In the vibrant hothouse that is Chris Garofalo's Chicago studio, nearly every surface holds carefully composed displays — natural specimens, souvenir postcards, family photos and random objects, like a petrified frog or lurid blue ceramic eggplants.

The New York Times

The customer service emus, who have been carefully trained to write back by tapping the correct computer keys with a pen held carefully in their beaks, do their best to explain to the solvers that some of this can be alleviated by making changes to the printer settings, and most of the time, that helps.

The New York Times

Make sure to use some form of hand protection - oven mitts are handy because they allow you to retain some of your hand's dexterity when holding your food, but bunched-up towels held carefully between your hands and the cooking vessel work in a pinch.

WikiHow

I hold him carefully and try to wake him with my words and touch.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In instructional writing, place the phrase at the beginning of a sentence to establish a safety-first tone before detailing the next step of a process.

Common error

Avoid using "hold careful" in place of the adverbial form. While the adjective might appear in very informal speech as a flat adverb, formal writing and professional instructions require the adverbial suffix to correctly modify the verb.

How to use

Learn how to use "hold carefully" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold carefully" functions primarily as a verb-adverb combination. In many instances found in Ludwig, it serves as an imperative (a direct command) or an infinitive clause. It describes the specific manner in which an action should be performed to ensure safety or precision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

60%

News & Media

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold carefully" is a standard and effective English phrase used to denote physical caution. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a correct grammatical structure, most frequently appearing in instructional materials and descriptive narratives. While the exact string appears with relatively low frequency in the highest-tier academic journals, its variations (such as "held carefully") are common in professional journalism. When writing, remember that this phrase is highly versatile, fitting both a simple manual for assembling furniture and a nuanced literary scene where a character handles a precious heirloom. For more formal contexts, consider the alternative handle with care to achieve a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

handle with care

Uses a standard idiomatic expression often found on packaging or formal instructions.

hold with caution

Swaps the adverb for a prepositional phrase for slightly more formal emphasis.

grip gently

Focuses specifically on the pressure of the hold rather than general caution.

grasp cautiously

Suggests a higher degree of alertness or hesitation before making contact.

cradle delicately

Implies a nurturing or extremely protective manner of holding an object.

support carefully

Emphasizes the structural stability provided by the person holding the item.

carry delicately

Implies transport or movement while maintaining a fragile grip.

maneuver with care

Shifts the focus from static holding to movement or manipulation.

clutch with care

Suggests a tighter or more urgent grip than a standard hold.

hold securely

Focuses on firmness and safety rather than just the gentleness of the action.

FAQs

How to use "hold carefully" in a sentence?

You can use it as an imperative instruction, such as "Please "hold carefully" while I adjust the base", or as part of a description like "She "held the vase carefully" to avoid scratching the surface".

What can I say instead of "hold carefully"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "handle with care", "grip gently", or "cradle with caution".

Which is correct, "hold carefully" or "hold careful"?

The phrase "hold carefully" is the grammatically correct version because the adverb "carefully" is needed to modify the verb "hold". "Hold careful" is considered non-standard or colloquial.

What is the difference between "hold carefully" and "hold securely"?

While "hold carefully" emphasizes gentleness and preventing damage to the object, "hold securely" focuses on a firm grip to prevent the object from being dropped or lost.