hold confidence

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold confidence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to maintain their confidence in a situation or in themselves. Example: "I know the job interview didn't go as expected, but hold confidence - you have all the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

At a meeting with President Giorgio Napolitano this week, the speakers of both houses of parliament agreed to hold confidence votes on that day.

The Economist

His message motivates us to hold confidence in the future, to regain a sense of freedom and well-being.

Forbes

The lung expression data have greater potential for revealing the underlying gene, but, to hold confidence in results of analyses, particularly when the results contrast with simple visual inspection of the data, requires careful examination of the properties of the statistical method used.

Genetic Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Beijing must instill a deeply held confidence in these investors that the government will do anything to prop them up.

HuffPost

Such is the struggle to keep hold of confidence and to recapture it after a fall.

The New York Times - Sports

Ms Tymoshenko is now calling on the Rada to hold a confidence vote in her government.

The Economist

Wickremesinghe said parliament would resume on Wednesday and hold a confidence vote on his leadership.

The Guardian

Two days later he was released as part of a deal to hold a confidence vote in Parliament.

The Economist

Yet I wondered, Will young graduates hold onto confidence in a world struggling to deal with women's equality?

The New York Times

Doctors and lawyers are information fiduciaries because they hold in confidence data about us, whether it's supplied or gathered.

The New Yorker

The next date on which Tory MPs can hold a confidence vote in May, if she remains at the helm.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold confidence", ensure the context clearly indicates what or in whom the confidence is being held, promoting clarity and avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "hold confidence" when a stronger term like "demonstrate confidence" or "inspire confidence" would better convey the intended meaning. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound passive or lacking in conviction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold confidence" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, expressing the act of maintaining or possessing a belief in oneself or a situation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold confidence" is a grammatically correct, though relatively rare, phrase that signifies the act of maintaining a belief in oneself or a particular outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase can be used to encourage someone to maintain their confidence in a situation or in themselves. Analysis of its usage indicates it appears across various contexts like news, science, and academia, as indicated by Ludwig's analysis of various sources. While not as common as "have confidence", "hold confidence" emphasizes the active and deliberate effort to sustain assurance, making it particularly suitable in challenging or uncertain situations. Consider alternatives like "maintain confidence" or "sustain confidence" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain confidence

Focuses on the continuation of confidence, implying an effort to keep it.

keep confidence

Similar to maintain, emphasizing the act of preserving confidence.

sustain confidence

Highlights the ability to keep confidence going over a period.

possess assurance

Shifts the focus to having a strong belief in oneself or something.

harbor confidence

Suggests a more internal and personal holding of confidence.

retain confidence

Implies holding onto confidence despite potential challenges.

cherish belief

Emphasizes the value and importance attached to the belief.

nurture faith

Suggests actively fostering and developing faith.

foster conviction

Highlights the promotion and growth of a strong conviction.

cultivate optimism

Focuses on actively developing a positive outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "hold confidence" in a sentence?

You can use "hold confidence" to encourage someone to maintain their belief in a positive outcome, as in, "Even after the setback, it's important to "hold confidence" in your abilities."

What are some alternatives to "hold confidence"?

Alternatives include "maintain confidence", "keep confidence", or "sustain confidence", each carrying a slightly different nuance regarding the duration and effort involved.

Is it more appropriate to say "hold confidence" or "have confidence"?

"Have confidence" is generally more common and widely used. "Hold confidence" can emphasize the act of actively maintaining confidence, especially in challenging situations.

In what contexts is "hold confidence" most suitable?

"Hold confidence" is often suitable in contexts where one is actively trying to maintain a positive outlook or belief despite obstacles or uncertainties. It suggests a deliberate effort to not lose faith.