it held onto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it held onto" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of maintaining possession or attachment to something, whether physically or emotionally. Example: "Despite the challenges, she held onto her dreams and continued to pursue her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The company made three hundred and twenty million dollars — but not the estimated $2.7 billion it would have fetched had it held onto its share.

The New Yorker

Even the municipal power authority in Los Angeles -- considered a dowager when it held onto its plants while deregulation swirled around it -- has made an extra $200 million selling power over the last two years.

The New York Times

This Is It increased from four to three in Germany and sixth to fifth in Ireland while it held onto its second and third positions in Switzerland and Norway respectively.

Wikipedia

When he looked more closely at the mimetic females, Kronforst found that doublesex was engaged in some clever shuffling and gymnastics -- it had about 1,000 mutations of its base pairs, and it held onto them the same way super genes locked up groups of mimicry genes: by inverting itself on the genome, preventing recombination of base pairs that ultimately would clean house.

Los Angeles Times

It held onto to the number one spot through its first weekend, with $53,113,752, which is the lowest opening of the series.

Wikipedia

It held onto it.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

A.M.D. hopes the move helps it hold onto its share of the laptop market, which Intel dominates.

The New York Times

India is clearly on a roll but how long can it hold onto its crown?

Forbes

Maybe that will help reignite growth, or at least help it hold onto its massive lead in market share.

TechCrunch

The same studio's "Dunkirk" continues to show strong during its fourth weekend, as it holds onto second place.

Huffington Post

Particularly, the offense has thrived because it holds onto the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it held onto" to convey maintaining possession, control, or a position. Ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to and what was being held onto.

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear and unmistakable antecedent. Ambiguity can confuse readers. For example, instead of writing "The company struggled, but it held onto it", specify what the company held onto: "The company struggled, but it held onto its market share."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it held onto" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a subject (represented by "it") maintained possession or control of something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various examples, showcasing its versatility in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

18%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it held onto" is a versatile and commonly used expression indicating that something maintained possession, control, or a position. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, from news reports to academic discussions. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the antecedent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. While there are many synonyms, each carries slight nuances that can impact the overall message. Consider the intensity and context when choosing between alternatives like "it maintained possession of" or "it clung to". Overall, "it held onto" provides a reliable way to convey the idea of preservation or maintenance, suitable for both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it maintained possession of

Emphasizes continued ownership or control.

it retained its grip on

Highlights the effort to keep control.

it kept ahold of

A more informal way to express maintaining possession.

it didn't relinquish

Focuses on the act of not giving something up.

it preserved its hold on

Suggests a deliberate effort to keep control, often in a competitive context.

it sustained its ownership of

Highlights the continuity of ownership.

it clutched

Implies a desperate attempt to keep hold of something.

it secured its possession of

Emphasizes that the possession is stable.

it tenaciously guarded

Highlights a firm grip and protection to maintain possession.

it bore in mind

Focuses on remembering or continuing to think about something.

FAQs

How can I use "it held onto" in a sentence?

The phrase "it held onto" is used to indicate that something maintained possession or control of something else. For example: "Despite the storm, the old house "it held onto" its charm."

What are some alternatives to "it held onto"?

You can use alternatives like "it maintained possession of", "it retained its grip on", or "it kept ahold of" depending on the context.

Is "it held onto" formal or informal?

The phrase "it held onto" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What's the difference between "it held onto" and "it clung to"?

"It held onto" implies maintaining possession or control, while "it clung to" suggests a desperate or tenacious attempt to keep hold of something, often in a challenging situation. The nuance lies in the intensity and the circumstances surrounding the action.