it held that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it held that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate a conclusion or decision made by a court or authority. Example: "In the case of Smith v. Jones, the court held that the defendant was liable for damages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It held that position even before it débuted.

The New Yorker

When I saw her picture I felt like it held that moment of falling in love.

The Guardian - Film

It soared to the top of the British singles chart, and it held that position for most of the summer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yesterday it held that gain.

Forbes

It held that position until 2013 when Attarintiki Daredi pushed it to the second spot.

Wikipedia

It held that spot through the end of the year, adding another $26.5 million to the film's grosses.

Wikipedia

It held that title until the dedication of the William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 18 , 2004

Wikipedia

It held that the court did not abuse its discretion in doing this.

Columbia University

For this reason, it held that the affidavit did not establish probable cause.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Monetarism was one-it held that the most important economic variable was the money supply.

The New Yorker

Monetarism was one-it held that the most… ANNALS OF FINANCE about the Federal Reserve, America's central bank.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider "it concluded that" or "it determined that" when emphasizing the reasoning process rather than a strict legal ruling.

Common error

Avoid using "it held that" when the subject isn't a recognized authority, court, or body capable of making a formal judgment. Opt for phrases like "it suggested that" or "it seemed that" for less formal attributions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it held that" functions as a reporting clause, primarily used to introduce a statement of a court, an authority, or some other decision-making entity. As Ludwig AI shows, it connects the subject (the court or entity) to the formal decision or conclusion reached.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

30%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it held that" is a formal phrase used to report a judgment or decision made by an authority. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in academic, legal, and news contexts. When using "it held that", ensure that the subject is a recognized authority and that the context is appropriately formal. Alternatives such as "it ruled that" or "it concluded that" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. The high frequency of use and authoritative sources confirm its established place in formal English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ruled that

This alternative is more direct, suggesting a formal ruling or decision by an authority.

the court found that

Specifically refers to a legal finding or determination by a court of law.

it determined that

This emphasizes the process of reaching a conclusion after investigation or consideration.

it concluded that

This highlights the final stage of reasoning or analysis, leading to a specific judgment.

it decided that

This suggests a choice or resolution made between different options or possibilities.

the judgment stated that

This indicates a formal declaration within a legal judgment or decree.

it asserted that

This implies a strong declaration or affirmation of a fact or belief.

it maintained that

This suggests the consistent upholding of a particular position or belief over time.

it posited that

This is a more formal alternative, indicating the proposal of a theory or idea.

it stipulated that

This emphasizes the formal agreement or requirement of specific conditions or terms.

FAQs

How is "it held that" typically used in a sentence?

"It held that" is used to report a formal judgment or decision made by a court, governing body, or recognized authority. For example, "The Supreme Court "ruled that" the law was unconstitutional".

What are some alternatives to "it held that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it concluded that", "it determined that", or "it ruled that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "it held that" most appropriate?

"It held that" is most appropriate in formal writing, such as legal documents, academic papers, and news reports, when accurately reporting a formal decision or declaration. Informal situations require a different type of phrase.

Is "it held that" interchangeable with "it was believed that"?

No, "it held that" implies a formal ruling or judgment, while "it was believed that" suggests a general opinion or widespread belief. While "it was believed that" expresses a general opinion, "it held that" should only be used when referring to official decrees.