is being held back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is being held back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is being prevented from progressing or achieving their full potential. Example: "She feels that her talents are being held back by the lack of opportunities in her current job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Business is expanding, but is being held back by local red tape and corruption.

The Economist

But the controversial broadcaster's pièce de résistance is being held back until mid-May.

Independent

The market is being held back by the shrinking supply of homes for sale.

The New York Times

Business investment is being held back by state regulations to protect small farmers and established firms.

The Economist

Analysts say the army is being held back by its own resistance to change.

The Economist

However, that work is being held back by rules which harm patient care.

The Guardian

A license of Yahoo's oldest patents is being held back in the so-called Excalibur portfolio.

The New York Times

However, further growth is being held back by a severe shortage of construction workers.

The Guardian - Business

"They know that the world is being held back in every way, because they are not.

The Guardian - Film

Spending on nonresidential buildings also is being held back by high vacancy rates, low property prices, and strained credit conditions.

The Economist

Why?Four main types of spending drive GDP, and each of the four is being held back.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is being held back", clearly identify what is causing the restriction. Specificity enhances the clarity and impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "is being held back" without specifying the agent or reason causing the restriction. Vague statements weaken your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is being held back" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state where a subject is experiencing restriction or prevention from making progress. Ludwig provides many examples to show that is a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is being held back" is a grammatically sound passive verb phrase commonly used to express that something or someone is not progressing as expected due to certain limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly identify what is causing the restriction to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "is being hindered" or "is being impeded" can be used for variety while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is being hindered

Synonymous replacement. "Is being hindered" implies an obstruction or difficulty is slowing progress, very similar to the original phrase.

is being impeded

"Is being impeded" suggests something is obstructing movement or progress, sharing a close semantic relationship.

is being restrained

"Is being restrained" indicates a force is preventing free movement or development, conveying a similar sense of limitation.

is being constrained

"Is being constrained" suggests limitation by circumstances or factors, similar to being held back.

is being suppressed

"Is being suppressed" suggests that something is being actively prevented from developing or being known.

is being stifled

"Is being stifled" implies that something is being repressed or suffocated, preventing its full expression.

is being checked

"Is being checked" means progress is being slowed or stopped, often temporarily.

is being curtailed

"Is being curtailed" suggests a reduction or restriction in scope or extent.

is experiencing delays

Rephrasing as "is experiencing delays" shifts the focus to the result of being held back rather than the act itself.

is encountering obstacles

Changing to "is encountering obstacles" highlights the presence of impediments but not necessarily the action of being held back.

FAQs

How can I use "is being held back" in a sentence?

Use "is being held back" to indicate that something or someone is being prevented from progressing or reaching their full potential. For example, "The project "is being held back" by a lack of funding".

What are some alternatives to "is being held back"?

You can use alternatives like "is being hindered", "is being impeded", or "is being restrained" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "is being held back"?

While both active and passive voice are grammatically correct, using the passive voice with "is being held back" often emphasizes the object or subject being affected rather than the actor causing the restriction. Choose the voice that best suits your intended emphasis.

What's the difference between ""is being held back"" and "is being delayed"?

"Is being held back" suggests an active force preventing progress, while "is being delayed" simply means that something is happening later than expected. "Is being held back" implies a cause, while "is being delayed" does not necessarily.