retained hold of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained hold of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is an awkward construction and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "He retained hold of the rope tightly as he climbed the mountain."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And the third is Bill Paxon.The reason, oddly enough, is that Mr Paxon's sacking (he would surely have been pushed if he had not jumped) gives him a freedom of speech and action that will be particularly valuable as the Republicans, who barely retained hold of Congress in last year's election, limp on to next year's.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

You know the sort of thing: middle-aged women rolling around in the aisles as they snatch the last games console from each other's grasp; overweight men, dressed in sports gear, throwing jabs while simultaneously trying to retain hold of three widescreen televisions (and some dignity).

The Guardian - Business

Remember, folks: her ultimate goals are to retain her youth and keep hold of her powers, which are both slipping away each and every episode.

Huffington Post

Knowledge is power and memory is the way to retain that knowledge and keep hold of that power.

WikiHow

After the sale, Vivendi will retain a holding of 12% in the games firm.

BBC

Democrats have an uphill climb to retain of control of the seat held by longtime Sen. Max Baucus before he was tapped to become the U.S. ambassador to China.

Los Angeles Times

Once the bank's shares are listed on the stock market, the Co-op Gretainill retain a majority holding of around 75%.

The Guardian - Business

The PDP retained control of the bicameral legislature and held 23 of the 36 state governorships.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, Labour retained control of the 57-seat council, holding 30 seats to the Conservatives' 24 and UKIP's three.

BBC

In the case of gravity walls, the pure weight of the retaining wall holds the soil.

Geotechnical Engineering Calculations and Rules of Thumb

The four men died after the Gleision drift mine flooded on 15 September, 2011 after a retaining wall holding back a body of water failed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for stronger and more common alternatives like "held onto" or "maintained control of" for clearer communication. Using these phrases avoids grammatical ambiguity and is more readily understood.

Common error

Avoid using the construction "retained hold of" as it sounds unnatural. It's better to choose a more direct and familiar phrase to express the intended meaning, such as "held onto" or "maintained control".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained hold of" functions as a verb phrase, aiming to express the act of maintaining possession or control. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is not standard in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Wiki

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "retained hold of" is understandable, it is not a standard or recommended construction in English. Ludwig AI confirms its awkwardness. More common and clearer alternatives like "held onto" or "maintained control over" are generally preferred. Its infrequent usage and potential for misinterpretation make it less suitable for formal writing. While it appears in various contexts, including news and wiki sources, choosing more conventional phrases enhances clarity and avoids grammatical ambiguity. It is better to use clearer phrases to express the intended meaning of keeping possession or control of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained control over

Replaces "retained hold" with "maintained control", focusing on the act of keeping control.

kept possession of

Emphasizes the act of holding or owning something without necessarily implying control.

remained in charge of

Highlights the ongoing responsibility and authority over something.

preserved control of

Highlights the act of maintaining control against potential loss or change.

kept a grip on

Suggests maintaining a tight hold, often in a literal sense.

held onto

Indicates a firm grasp or maintenance of something, physically or metaphorically.

stayed in command of

Focuses on remaining in a position of leadership or authority.

held fast to

Indicates a firm and unwavering grip, often in challenging circumstances.

secured dominion over

Conveys a stronger sense of authority and power than "retained hold of".

clung to

Implies desperation or a strong emotional attachment in maintaining hold.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "retained hold of"?

Consider using phrases like "held onto", "maintained control over", or "kept possession of" for clearer and more natural English.

Is "retained hold of" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "retained hold of" is not a standard or commonly used phrase in English. It's often perceived as awkward. Better alternatives exist, like "held onto".

How can I use "retained hold of" in a sentence?

Although not recommended, if you must use it, ensure the context clearly indicates maintaining control or possession. However, stronger alternatives like "maintained control over" are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "retained hold of" and "held onto"?

"Held onto" is a more common and natural-sounding way to express keeping possession or control of something. "Retained hold of" is less frequently used and can sound awkward. "Held onto" is usually the better choice.