it has held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it has held up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has remained intact, functional, or effective over time. Example: "Despite the harsh weather conditions, the old bridge has held up remarkably well over the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

By creating its own bureaucratic catastrophes, The Thick of It has held up a mirror to the absurdities that seem a near-daily experience of those in power, and revealed, too, how modern politics is more interested in the appearance of governing than in governing itself.

Independent

Both of those things have put the stock under pressure, even though it has held up much better than any of its peers.

The New York Times

Until now, it has held up better.

The New York Times

It has held up remarkably well.

Forbes

"It has held up for more than 30 years".

The Guardian - Money

The system has been tweaked over the years, but it has held up well.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

In the past month, the U.S. Congress passed the expanded Violence Against Women Act it had held up for a year and a half, and, separately, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, went to war against sexual assault in the U.S. military, holding the first Senate hearings on this staggering problem in nearly ten years.

The New York Times

It had held up against the best efforts of strong East German and Chinese swimming teams the past two decades, and in the swimming world it was viewed with the same reverence as Bob Beamon's long jump record, which stood for 23 years, was in track and field.

The New York Times - Sports

As the governor was making his drought announcement, the Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County — one of the fastest-growing counties in the state in recent years — gave a provisional nod to nine projects that it had held up for months because of water concerns.

The New York Times

Still, after six decades in the bottle, I thought it had held up pretty well.

Huffington Post

So far in this fortnight, Rafter's surgically repaired right shoulder -- which has a shrinking life span of serves left in it -- has held up extremely well.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it has held up" to describe the enduring quality or effectiveness of something, especially when contrasting it with something that might have failed or deteriorated over time. For example, "Despite the market crash, the company's stock has held up well."

Common error

Avoid using "it has held up" when you mean something was delayed or obstructed. The phrase primarily refers to something maintaining its condition or value, not being halted. Instead of saying "The project has held up the progress", say "The project has delayed the progress".

Linguistic Context

It has held up functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating that something has maintained its condition, value, or effectiveness over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage, exemplified by various instances showing resilience and durability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it has held up" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to describe the enduring quality, condition, or effectiveness of something over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news and media, formal business contexts, and occasionally in scientific discussions. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the continued stability or resilience of the subject, avoiding confusion with meanings related to delays or obstructions. Alternatives like "it has endured" or "it has stood the test of time" can be used to add nuance. Remember that the phrase emphasizes the ongoing nature of the positive attribute, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it has stood the test of time

This alternative emphasizes the duration over which something has remained effective or valid.

it has remained intact

This alternative focuses on the unbroken or undamaged state of something.

it has proven durable

This alternative highlights the lasting quality and resilience of something.

it has maintained its condition

This suggests that something has actively kept its original state.

it has resisted wear and tear

This emphasizes the ability to withstand damage from use or exposure.

it has not deteriorated

This alternative focuses on the absence of decline in quality or condition.

it has stayed strong

This highlights the continued robustness or effectiveness of something.

it has continued to function

This alternative emphasizes the ongoing operational capability of something.

it has preserved its integrity

This suggests that the essential qualities or components of something have been maintained.

it has shown resilience

This emphasizes the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties or toughness.

FAQs

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

Use "it has held up" to describe something that has maintained its quality, value, or condition over time. For example: "The old car has held up remarkably well despite its age."

What can I say instead of "it has held up"?

You can use alternatives like "it has endured", "it has remained intact", or "it has stood the test of time" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "it has held up well" or "it held up well"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and commonly used. "It has held up well" emphasizes the continuing nature of its condition, while "it held up well" refers to a specific past event or period.

What's the difference between "it has held up" and "it was held up"?

"It has held up" means something has maintained its condition, while "it was held up" implies a delay or obstruction. For example, "The building has held up well over the years" versus "The shipment was held up at customs".