holding well

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holding well" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is performing satisfactorily or maintaining its condition over time. Example: "Despite the challenges, the project is holding well and meeting all deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

The truce made in March 2013 between the Turkish government and the PKK was holding well enough.

The New York Times - Travel

After an uncertain start, Kubo and the Two Strings is also holding well, with declines of 29%and16%6%.

The Guardian - Film

Zermatt, Saas Fee, Verbier and St. Moritz will remain open well into May, with the snow holding well at -1C.

The Guardian - Travel

Holding well, with just an 11% drop is Ciro Guerra's Embrace of the Serpent, set in the Colombian Amazon.

The Guardian - Film

It raised $2.7 billion, establishing a market value for its biggest holding well above its own estimates of about $2 billion.

The New York Times

The Sony Corporation said yesterday that it sold 8.5 million PlayStation 2 game consoles during the holiday shopping season in November and December, up 24percentt from a year earlier and holding well ahead of its rivals.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Mr. Paul has continued to campaign aggressively, holding well-attended rallies as he pushes his message of fiscal discipline and foreign restraint.

The New York Times

Because of the intense interest, Lin has been holding well-attended news conferences nearly every day — including two here on Friday.

The New York Times

"If you become experts in Steinbeck, beautiful, but that's not my goal," Matthew Kalafat, a Westfield teacher, told his class of 13 students — 11 white, 2 Asian — holding well-thumbed hardcover books in first period the other day.

The New York Times

He is undoubtedly looking forward to having Mrs. Clinton take over tiresome duties such as appearing on Sunday morning talk shows, being interviewed on the nightly news and holding well-attended press conferences, leaving him free to devote his time to upstate economic development.

The New York Times

Dozens of workers wearing orange vests and holding well-worn rakes battled to gather shoes, plastic foam cups and motor oil cans.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial performance, use "holding well" to indicate that an investment or asset is maintaining its value despite market fluctuations. For example, "Despite the recent downturn, our portfolio is holding well."

Common error

Avoid using "holding well" to describe actions or processes that are actively improving; instead, reserve it for situations where the emphasis is on maintaining a current, satisfactory state. For example, don't say, "The company is holding well with its new marketing campaign" if the campaign is significantly boosting sales. A better alternative could be "The company is performing well."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding well" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of preservation or maintenance. Ludwig examples show usage in describing the performance of investments, the stability of political truces, or the endurance of physical structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "holding well" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe the maintenance of a satisfactory state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and frequently used. While adaptable across contexts, it is most common in news, media, and scientific domains. Remember to use it to describe the stability and maintenance of something, and avoid using it in cases of active improvement, where phrases like "performing well" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enduring successfully

Emphasizes the ability to withstand challenges and continue functioning effectively.

maintaining condition

Focuses more on the preservation of the current state without necessarily implying improvement or decline.

staying strong

Conveys resilience and an active resistance to negative forces or decline.

performing adequately

Shifts the emphasis to functionality and whether the subject is meeting a basic level of expectation.

remaining stable

Highlights the lack of significant change, implying a steady state.

standing firm

Highlights resistance to external pressures and unwavering resolve.

retaining value

Specifically relates to the preservation of worth, either monetary or qualitative.

keeping up

Suggests an effort to maintain pace or standard, often in a competitive context.

weathering the storm

Idiomatic phrase suggesting resilience during a difficult period.

progressing steadily

Implies consistent but not necessarily rapid advancement or improvement.

FAQs

How can I use "holding well" in a sentence?

You can use "holding well" to describe something that is maintaining its condition or value satisfactorily. For example, "Despite the challenges, the project is "holding well" and meeting all deadlines."

What are some alternatives to "holding well"?

Alternatives to "holding well" include "performing adequately", "remaining stable", or "staying strong", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "holding well" versus "performing well"?

"Holding well" is suitable when you want to emphasize that something is maintaining its current state, whereas "performing well" suggests active improvement or success.

Is "holding well" formal or informal language?

"Holding well" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but avoid it in highly technical or academic writing where more precise terminology might be preferred.