it has held steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has held steady" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something has remained constant or unchanged over a period of time. Example: "Despite the fluctuations in the market, the company's stock price has held steady for the past six months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Though Café Tacvba has a general philosophy of discontinuity — including switching the u to a v in its name a few years ago — it has held steady for 20 years with its producers Gustavo Santaolalla and Anibal Kerpel).

The New York Times - Arts

Today, that rate is generally well below two, where it has held steady, with minor fluctuations, for the past century.

The New Yorker

Another Gallup poll, also released on Thursday, found a worrisome trend: President Obama's approval rating among liberal Democrats, while still high, has slipped 10 percent since Nov. 1; but, among moderate Democrats, it has held steady.

The New York Times

Long Island farmland was reduced significantly in the 1970s and '80s as property costs rose, but it has held steady at about 33,000 acres since then, said Joseph M. Gergela III, executive director of the Long Island Farm Bureau.

The New York Times

In the American Life Panel survey conducted by the RAND Corporation, Mr. Obama had a smaller bounce than in some other polls — but it has held steady over the past week, as he has continued to hold roughly a three-point lead among likely voters.

The New York Times

Since 1993, it has held steady at 35percentt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That was essentially unchanged from the 1.47% the ADDM survey reported in 2010 — marking the first time it had held steady since 2000.

Los Angeles Times

The show's viewership, around six million a week, isn't spectacular and represents a 25 percent drop-off from "The Middle," the sitcom leading into it, but the audience has held steady throughout most of the season.

The New York Times - Arts

The percentage of women giving birth there with a doctor, nurse or midwife present has held steady ; it has not declined.

The New York Times

Unemployment in Sweden has held steady over the past year; in the euro area it has declined.

The Economist

Confidence in the police has held steady.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has held steady" when you want to emphasize that something has remained unchanged over a specific period, especially in contexts where fluctuations or changes might have been expected.

Common error

Don't assume that because something "has held steady" it is necessarily a positive outcome. The context is crucial; sometimes maintaining the status quo is undesirable if growth or progress was expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it has held steady" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present perfect construction, indicating that something has remained at a consistent level over a period leading up to the present. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous examples demonstrating stability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has held steady" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe something that has remained constant or unchanged over time. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across various domains, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts. While it's often associated with stability, remember that "holding steady" doesn't always imply a positive outcome. Consider alternatives like "it has remained constant" or "it has stayed consistent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ultimately, mastering the use of "it has held steady" enhances clarity and precision in both written and spoken communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has remained constant

This alternative emphasizes the lack of change over time.

it has stayed consistent

This highlights the continuous maintenance of a particular state or level.

it has maintained its level

Focuses on preserving a specific position or amount.

it has not changed

A more direct and simple way of expressing the same idea.

it has been stable

Indicates a state of equilibrium and resistance to fluctuations.

it has plateaued

Suggests reaching a point where no further increase or decrease is observed.

it has leveled off

Similar to plateaued, but can also imply a correction after a period of increase or decrease.

it has evened out

Implies previous fluctuations that have now subsided.

it has stabilized

Similar to "it has been stable", but emphasizes the act of becoming stable.

it has settled

Implies a final state after a period of change or uncertainty.

FAQs

What does "it has held steady" mean?

The phrase "it has held steady" means that something has remained constant or unchanged over a period of time. It suggests stability and a lack of significant fluctuation.

How can I use "it has held steady" in a sentence?

You can use "it has held steady" to describe various scenarios. For example: "Despite market volatility, the company's stock price "it has held steady"." Or, "Even with increased competition, our customer base "it has held steady"."

What are some alternatives to "it has held steady"?

Alternatives to "it has held steady" include "it has remained constant", "it has stayed consistent", or "it has maintained its level". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "it has held steady" formal or informal?

"It has held steady" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news reports, academic papers, and business communications, as well as in everyday conversation.