she held up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she held up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone physically lifting something or to indicate that someone is maintaining a certain state or condition. Example: "During the presentation, she held up the chart to show the audience the data clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

She held up a finger.

The New Yorker

She held up the corkscrew.

The New Yorker

She held up an imaginary magnifying glass.

The New York Times - Arts

Then she held up the skirt.

The New Yorker

She held up a magic wand.

The New Yorker

She held up a notebook.

The New York Times

She held up her purse.

The New Yorker

She held up a summery dress.

The New York Times - Magazine

She held up a wooden fish on a string.

The New Yorker

She held up a dime-size black disk.

The New Yorker

See?" And she held up a thimble brimming with tears.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "she held up" with descriptive adjectives to enhance the imagery. For instance, "She held up a tattered photograph," provides more detail than simply, "She held up a photograph".

Common error

Avoid using "she held up" when the action is more about supporting or maintaining something, rather than displaying it. For instance, instead of "She held up the argument", consider "She supported the argument" or "She maintained the argument".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she held up" functions as a verb phrase, where "held up" is a transitive phrasal verb. It describes a past action of a female subject physically lifting something. As Ludwig AI examples show, this is often to display or present the object for others to see.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she held up" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a woman physically lifting something, often to display it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from reputable sources, primarily in the news and media domain. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the context aligns with the act of displaying an object, rather than merely supporting it. Related phrases like "she displayed" or "she presented" can offer alternative ways to express similar actions, depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she displayed

Emphasizes the act of showing something for attention or admiration.

she presented

Focuses on formally introducing or offering something.

she brandished

Implies a dramatic or aggressive way of holding something up.

she lifted

Highlights the physical act of raising something.

she raised

Similar to "lifted" but can also imply bringing something to attention.

she showed

A general term for making something visible.

she produced

Focuses on bringing something out for viewing.

she paused

Indicates a temporary halt or delay in an action.

she revealed

Emphasizes the unveiling or disclosure of something.

she flashed

Suggests a quick or sudden display of something.

FAQs

How can I use "she held up" in a sentence?

The phrase "she held up" is used to describe someone lifting something to display it. For example: "She held up a sign decorated with the names and locations of various mass shootings."

What are some alternatives to "she held up"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "she displayed", "she presented", or "she raised".

When is it inappropriate to use "she held up"?

Avoid using "she held up" when the action is more about supporting an abstract concept, or maintaining an argument. In these cases consider "supported", "maintained" or "defended".

Is "she holds up" the same as "she held up"?

"She holds up" is present tense, describing a current or habitual action, while "she held up" is past tense, describing an action that occurred in the past.