hold stereotypes

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold stereotypes" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when speaking or writing about someone or something which has a strong opinion or belief about a certain group of people without basing it on facts or personal experience. For example, "Many people hold stereotypes about different ethnicities which can lead to discrimination."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

People hold stereotypes about Asians, as they do with any racial group.

Harvard Business Review

Many voters hold stereotypes that women aren't as knowledgeable or competent on issues like war and terrorism.

The New Yorker

30% of the startups that we accelerate are women-founded, our on-the-ground team is women, and our board is over 50% women – statistics that many people who hold stereotypes about women in the Arab world find surprising.

Forbes

Some people may hold stereotypes about birth mothers, imagining worst-case scenarios in which a mother is too young to care for herself, and for her baby.

HuffPost

Many non-autistic people hold stereotypes of autistics as intentionally rude, lazy individuals who are mentally five years old.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

First-grade children held stereotypes that boys were better than girls at robotics and programming but did not hold these stereotypes about math and science.

Journal of Experimental Child Psychology

Both families opposed marriage, each holding up deeply held stereotypes or cultural resentments and expressing fears of loss.

The New York Times

When the managers read that many people held stereotypes, they were 28percentt less interested in hiring the female candidate.

The New York Times

An article I wrote on the hijab from a feminist standpoint received more than a thousand comments, most driven by narrow, commonly held stereotypes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even when instructed to "try to avoid thinking about others in such a manner," people still viewed women more traditionally after reading that a vast majority held stereotypes.

The New York Times

Successfully making this case is the only way left for abortion rights activists to stop antiabortion momentum, but it plays into deeply held stereotypes of the movement — stereotypes still held by media formed during the culture wars.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics like race or gender, using "hold stereotypes" can be a neutral way to introduce the presence of bias before exploring its impact. Be sure to back up assertions with evidence and avoid perpetuating the stereotypes you are discussing.

Common error

Avoid presenting stereotypes as established facts or truths. Always frame stereotypes as beliefs or assumptions that may or may not be accurate. For example, rather than saying "All X are Y," state that "Some people hold the stereotype that X are Y."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold stereotypes" functions as a verb phrase, where "hold" is the verb and "stereotypes" is the direct object. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold stereotypes" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe having oversimplified beliefs about a group of people. According to Ludwig AI, it is often used to discuss bias and prejudice in various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent and appropriate. When discussing sensitive topics, it is important to use this phrase carefully and avoid perpetuating the very stereotypes being discussed. Related phrases include "harbor prejudices", "maintain biases", and "possess stereotypical views". By understanding the nuances of this phrase, writers can more effectively address the complex issue of stereotypes in their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possess stereotypical views

Rephrases "hold" with "possess" and uses "views" instead of "stereotypes" to soften the tone.

harbor prejudices

Replaces "stereotypes" with "prejudices", emphasizing preconceived judgments rather than generalized beliefs.

maintain biases

Focuses on the "biases" aspect, highlighting inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair.

embrace preconceived notions

Focuses on actively accepting and adopting preconceived ideas or beliefs.

cling to preconceptions

Emphasizes the act of adhering strongly to pre-existing ideas or beliefs.

have fixed ideas

Emphasizes the rigidity and inflexibility of the held beliefs.

subscribe to generalizations

Highlights the acceptance of broad statements or ideas, often without considering individual cases.

nurture stereotypical attitudes

Focuses on the development and fostering of stereotypical attitudes over time.

believe in clichés

Replaces "stereotypes" with "clichés" to highlight the overused and often unoriginal nature of the beliefs.

formulate stereotypical images

Focuses on the mental construction of simplified and standardized images or ideas.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold stereotypes" to describe someone who believes in oversimplified and often unfair ideas about a group of people. For example, "It's important to challenge those who "harbor prejudices" based on ethnicity or religion."

What is a less accusatory way to say someone "hold stereotypes"?

Instead of directly accusing someone, you could say they "possess stereotypical views" or "operate under certain assumptions". This approach softens the criticism while still addressing the issue.

What are the consequences of "holding stereotypes"?

Holding stereotypes can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and unfair treatment of individuals or groups. It can also create misunderstandings and perpetuate social inequalities. It’s important to be aware of and challenge these "cling to preconceptions".

What is the difference between "hold stereotypes" and "have biases"?

"Hold stereotypes" refers to having oversimplified and generalized beliefs about a group, while "have biases" suggests a preference or prejudice towards a particular person or group, often unconsciously. Both can influence behavior, but biases often involve an emotional component. Learning about the two may help you challenge your personal "maintain biases".