hold the right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'hold the right' is not correct or usable in written English as it stands.
You could rephrase it to something like 'take the correct course of action' or 'exercise your right'. For example: "I encourage you to hold the right and remain firm in your decision to take a stand."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"His job is to be a legislator and hold the right positions and to message on the issues.

The Guardian

The best prevention for all this is to hold the right accountable and shame conservatives from using incendiary, paranoid rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

Should their status change in this regard, we hold the right to withdraw our supplies and support unilaterally".

The Guardian

For this approach to work, government has to ensure that people hold the right values (capitalism, certain forms of Christianity).

The New York Times

She suggested that the statement should say: "Our internal investigations were woeful and limited and we failed to hold the right people accountable".

The Guardian

The professionals taking part in the cull will adhere to strict firearms safety, hold the right firearms licence and pass a specific, government-approved training course.

The Guardian

The equity principle of sustainable development necessitates that citizens hold the right to participate in the cultural economy of a place, requiring that inhabitants and other stakeholders are consulted on processes of continuity or transformation.

Stanford University

While transparency has made it possible for the general public to know about the data the governments possess and how they are potentially using it to hold the right people accountable.

Harvard University

Mr. Ahmadinejad said: "Nuclear energy is a type of energy that all people need, and a few countries cannot hold the right to monopolize and prohibit other countries from using this energy.

The New York Times

Stockholders as the bearers of residual risk hold the right to control of the corporation, although they delegate much of this control to a board of directors who normally hire, fire, and set the compensation of at least the CEO.

Harvard Business Review

But does that mean all 29,000 American troops in South Korea, or only those that "hold the right to use nuclear weapons?" And does Pyongyang expect Washington to remove the nuclear-armed bombers and submarines stationed in the region?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to convey someone's entitlements, substitute “hold the right” with more appropriate expressions like “possess the right” or “exercise the right”.

Common error

Avoid using "hold the right" as a direct synonym for “possess the right” or “exercise the right”. Instead, opt for these more precise terms to emphasize ownership or action, respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold the right" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, often indicating possession of a privilege, the validity of a belief, or the execution of a specific action. Ludwig examples indicate diverse applications, ranging from legal entitlements to physical actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold the right" is quite common, as seen by the Ludwig examples, yet according to Ludwig AI, it can be grammatically questionable. It appears frequently in News & Media, Wiki and Academia sources, with a neutral register. When aiming for precision, consider using alternatives like "possess the right" or "exercise the right". These alternatives may provide a more accurate portrayal of your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the right

Focuses on the continuation of an existing right rather than the act of holding it.

possess the right

Emphasizes ownership or entitlement of a right.

exercise the right

Highlights the active use of a right.

uphold the right

Implies defending or supporting a right against opposition.

secure the right

Focuses on obtaining or ensuring a right.

defend the right

Emphasizes protecting a right from being taken away or violated.

assert the right

Highlights the act of confidently stating or claiming a right.

claim the right

Focuses on declaring a right, often when it's disputed.

retain the right

Stresses keeping or preserving a right that one already has.

preserve the right

Focuses on maintaining a right for the future, often through specific actions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "hold the right"?

You can use alternatives like "possess the right", "exercise the right", or "maintain the right" depending on the context.

Is "hold the right" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, "hold the right" might not be grammatically precise in all contexts. Consider more formal alternatives like "possess the right" or "exercise the right" for clarity.

How to use "hold the right" in a sentence?

While you can find examples of "hold the right" in various sources, ensure it accurately reflects your intended meaning. Consider if a more precise alternative like "maintain the right" or "exercise the right" better conveys the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "hold the right" and "possess the right"?

"Hold the right" is a broader phrase that can encompass various meanings, including possessing or exercising a right. "Possess the right" specifically implies ownership or entitlement of that right.