it is held by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is held by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate possession or ownership of an idea, belief, or object by a person or group. Example: "The theory is widely accepted, but it is held by a small group of researchers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is also strong on regulation and professional disciplinary proceedings, frequently representing clients at the General Medical Council, the General Dental Council and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal — a testament to the respect in which it is held by its peers.

The Times

Events across the world are causing pain there too, even though much of the emirate's cash has not made its way to the banks; it is held by ruling families and in their sovereign wealth funds.Dubai's oil revenues are small.

The Economist

His circumlocution around the bulb's eventual, inevitable end reflects the reverence in which it is held by Livermoreans and its more far-flung fans, who keep vigil over the light online.

The New Yorker

The proposed approach is based on the observation that a garment can be brought to an approximately planar configuration if it is held by two points on its outline.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Even so, this latest climbdown seems very strange.One theory, as we noted in our earlier article, is that while Ryanair is indeed keen to start flying across the Atlantic, it is reluctant to do so under its own brand because of the antipathy in which it is held by many European travellers.

The Economist

The public property held by any municipality, city, county, or state is exempt from seizure upon execution, because it is held by such corporation, not as a part of its private assets, but as a trustee for public purposes.

Cornell University

It is held by the Widener Library, Harvard's flagship library.

Harvard University

It is held by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, an Austrian.

The Economist

It is held by few and is zero-sum.

Harvard Business Review

(It is held by a steel panel at the top).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is held by a hook on a crane, which now hauls it out of sight.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is held by", ensure that the subject and the holder are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it is held by" when the holder is unclear or not explicitly stated in the sentence. This can lead to confusion and weaken the clarity of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is held by" functions as a passive construction, indicating who or what possesses, contains, or believes something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is grammatically correct and widely acceptable. Examples from Ludwig show it used across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is held by" is a grammatically correct and versatile passive construction that specifies ownership, containment, or belief. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, always define the subject and the holder explicitly. While this phrase is generally neutral, its level of formality can vary depending on the surrounding text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is possessed by

Replaces "held" with "possessed", emphasizing ownership or control.

it is owned by

Focuses on legal ownership rather than a more general holding.

it is maintained by

Implies ongoing effort to keep or support something.

it is in the hands of

Emphasizes who is currently managing or responsible for it.

it is occupied by

Suggests physical presence and control over a space or position.

it is under the control of

Highlights the aspect of being managed or directed by someone.

it is believed by

Shifts the meaning to a belief or opinion being held.

it is regarded by

Indicates a specific viewpoint or assessment.

it is supported by

Focuses on the backing or evidence that validates something.

it is secured by

Indicates that something is being protected or guaranteed by something else.

FAQs

How can I use "it is held by" in a sentence?

Use "it is held by" to indicate possession, ownership, or belief. For example, "The ancient artifact "it is held by" the museum" or "That opinion "it is held by" many experts".

What are some alternatives to "it is held by"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it is owned by", "it is possessed by", or "it is maintained by", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "it is held by" or "it is hold by"?

"It is held by" is the correct grammatical form. "Hold" should be in the past participle form ("held") when used with the auxiliary verb "is".

What's the difference between "it is held by" and "it is being held by"?

"It is held by" indicates a state of possession or containment, while "it is being held by" implies an action in progress. For example, "The meeting "it is held by" the committee" (state) vs. "The suspect "it is being held by" the police" (action).