holds steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holds steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or condition that remains stable or unchanged over time. Example: "Despite the fluctuations in the market, the company's stock price holds steady."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Equipment-financing confidence holds steady.

The New York Times

Manufacturing growth in India holds steady.

The New York Times

But even if Oman's oil output holds steady, the D.M.E.

The New York Times

The prime rate now holds steady at 3.25percentt.

The New York Times

Fear not, the rack of lamb holds steady at $38.

The New York Times - Food

Builder confidence holds steady and the home remodeling index hits a record high.

The New York Times

For now, though, the big watch holds steady as an acceptable symbol of status.

The New York Times

But even in the structure of the music, a finite set of options holds steady.

The New York Times - Arts

Musically, the band holds steady in the middle distance: its jams, especially, eschew dramatic angles.

The New Yorker

Every time an uncomfortable situation occurs, she holds steady and makes each miserable moment sink in.

The New Yorker

When overbuilding is avoided, the vacancy rate remains reasonable, and the market holds steady.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "holds steady" to describe situations where maintaining a consistent state is important, such as in financial reports, scientific data, or personal progress. For example, "Despite market volatility, the company's stock price "holds steady"".

Common error

Avoid using "holds steady" when describing situations that are merely static or unchanging in the short term. This phrase implies a resistance to change over a significant period or despite external pressures. Consider alternatives like "remains" or "stays" for simple, short-term states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holds steady" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a state of stability or consistency over time. Ludwig AI shows examples across diverse contexts, emphasizing its role in portraying situations that resist change or maintain a consistent level.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "holds steady" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe stability or consistency over time. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While it is most common in news and media, its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, ensure that it reflects a resistance to change over time. Alternatives include "remains constant" and "stays stable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains constant

Indicates a state of unchanging value or condition over time, focusing on the absence of variation.

stays stable

Emphasizes the ability to resist change or maintain equilibrium despite external pressures.

remains unchanged

Directly states that there have been no alterations or modifications.

maintains its level

Highlights the act of keeping something at the same point or degree.

keeps up the same rate

Focuses on maintaining a consistent pace or frequency.

preserves stability

Highlights active protection of balance or equilibrium.

experiences no variations

Emphasizes a lack of fluctuations or deviations.

demonstrates consistency

Highlights a pattern of uniformity or predictability.

endures without modification

Shows that something is going on over time, in the same state.

continues unabated

Indicates an ongoing action or state without any reduction in intensity or strength.

FAQs

How can I use "holds steady" in a sentence?

You can use "holds steady" to describe something that remains at a consistent level or state despite external factors. For example, "The unemployment rate "holds steady" at 5%" or "Her commitment to the project "holds steady" despite the challenges".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "holds steady"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remains constant", "stays stable", or "remains unchanged", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "held steady" or "holds steady"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Holds steady" is present tense, used for ongoing situations. "Held steady" is past tense, used for situations that occurred in the past. For example: "The price "holds steady" today", versus "The price "held steady" last week".

What's the difference between "holds steady" and "maintains"?

"Maintains" implies an active effort to keep something at a certain level, while ""holds steady"" suggests that the level is maintained naturally or passively. For example, "The government maintains its spending levels", versus "The population growth "holds steady"".