it should hold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it should hold" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something is expected to remain valid, applicable, or effective under certain conditions. Example: "Based on our calculations, the theory we proposed is sound, and it should hold in practical applications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It should hold its image even when it drew no current, just as paper could.

The New Yorker

On the basis of economics, it should hold its fire, at least for now.

The New Yorker

So if the Muslim world wants to hold our feet to the fire, it should hold its own rulers to the same standards it applies to Israel.

The New York Times

Orecchiette are just odd, the pasta floury and fragile (this Pugliese favourite is traditionally made without egg, but it should hold its shape), the sauce a one-dimensional grunt of heat, the broccoli overcooked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If you spend $30,000 or more on a sports coupe, it should hold its value, right?

Forbes

I've always contended that a movie is only as good as its story, and it should hold up without any other contrivances.

Huffington Post

Once it's stuffed it should hold its shape.

WikiHow

If the dough is ready, it should hold its shape.

WikiHow

You don't need to use an elastic band to hold it in place, as it should hold on its own.

WikiHow

"If you spent ten thousand dollars on an Omega gold watch, theoretically, in two years time, it should hold most of its value," Bassel Choughari, a luxury-goods analyst at Berenberg, told me.

The New Yorker

It should hold the administration to its November deadline for assuming control of security at the nation's 429 commercial airports, and the year-end deadline by which all checked luggage must be scanned for bombs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it should hold" to express an expectation or a condition that is likely to be true under normal circumstances. It's effective for describing anticipated behavior or properties of objects, theories, or systems.

Common error

While versatile, "it should hold" can sound less professional in formal business writing. Opt for alternatives like "it is expected to remain" or "it is anticipated to maintain" to convey a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it should hold" primarily functions as a modal construction expressing expectation, prediction, or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It is often used to describe the anticipated behavior or properties of something, as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it should hold" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express expectation, prediction, or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most commonly in news, media, science and wiki contexts. While versatile, be mindful of formality when selecting alternatives like "it is expected to remain" for more professional settings. Use "it should hold" to describe the expected behavior or properties of something, ensuring the context aligns with its predictive nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it ought to hold

Replaces "should" with "ought to", providing a more formal tone, but maintaining similar meaning.

it is expected to hold

Replaces the modal verb with a passive construction, emphasizing the expectation.

it is supposed to hold

Substitutes "should" with "is supposed to", indicating a generally accepted expectation.

it is designed to hold

Focuses on the intended purpose or design of something to maintain a specific condition.

it is meant to hold

Similar to "is supposed to", indicating an intended function or purpose.

it will likely hold

Emphasizes the probability of something holding, rather than a strict obligation.

it is anticipated to hold

More formal alternative, stressing that something is predicted to hold.

it is projected to hold

Commonly used in forecasts and estimations, suggesting a predicted outcome.

it is required to hold

Indicates a necessity or requirement for something to maintain its state.

it must hold

Emphasizes a stronger obligation or necessity for something to remain valid or effective.

FAQs

How can I use "it should hold" in a sentence?

You can use "it should hold" to express an expectation about something maintaining its state or condition. For example, "If properly installed, the shelf it should hold all of your books."

What are some alternatives to "it should hold"?

Alternatives include "it ought to hold", "it is expected to hold", or "it is supposed to hold", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "it should hold" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it should hold" is grammatically correct. "Should" is a modal verb that expresses expectation or obligation, and "hold" is the base form of the verb.

When is it best to use "it should hold" versus "it will hold"?

"It should hold" expresses an expectation or conditional statement, while "it will hold" expresses a higher degree of certainty. Use "it should hold" when there's a reasonable expectation but not a guarantee, and "it will hold" when you're confident in the outcome.