they are held

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "they are held" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence when referring to something that is being held in place by a person, group, or thing. For example, "The curtains are held in place with special clips so they don't move in the wind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In Greece, they are held back".

The New York Times

Thus, they are held accountable.

The Washington Post

They are held once a month.

Yale University

They are held to a higher standard.

The Guardian - Opinion

Managers do better when they are held to account.

The Economist

They are held for ransom and often tortured.

The New York Times

Rather, they are held in place by cell walls.

The New York Times - Science

But too often they are held back from doing so.

Independent

They are held in high esteem by the local people".

The Guardian

They are held in popular esteem, it is true.

The Guardian - Books

As journalists they are held to be beyond reproach.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer "they are held" when describing a situation where someone or something is being kept in a specific condition or location, often with a sense of expectation or purpose.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions with "they are held". Active voice often makes your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "They are held by the police", consider "The police hold them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are held" primarily functions as a passive construction, indicating that a group (they) is the recipient of the action of being held. This construction is commonly used to shift focus from the actor to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are held" is a versatile and commonly used passive construction that describes a state of being kept, confined, or obligated. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, academic writing, and scientific discourse. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to the specific context to avoid overuse of the passive voice. Mastering the nuances of "they are held" empowers writers to express complex ideas with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are retained

Focuses on the act of keeping something or someone in a particular state or condition.

they are detained

Specifically implies a holding in a legal or custodial context.

they are kept

A more general term for maintaining possession or control.

they are restrained

Highlights the act of limiting or controlling movement or action.

they are confined

Suggests being restricted to a specific space or area.

they are possessed

Implies ownership or control by someone or something.

they are maintained

Focuses on the act of preserving or upholding something.

they are secured

Highlights the act of making something safe and stable.

they are bound

Implies being tied or obligated by something.

they are obliged

Suggests a sense of duty or requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "they are held" in a sentence?

The phrase "they are held" indicates that a group of people or things are being kept in a particular place or state. For example, "The suspects "they are held" in custody pending trial" or "The documents "they are held" in a secure archive".

What are some alternatives to "they are held"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they are detained", "they are kept", or "they are restrained" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "they are held" and "they are detained"?

"They are held" is a general term indicating that someone or something is being kept in a particular place. "They are detained" specifically refers to being held in custody, often by law enforcement.

In what situations is it best to use "they are held"?

It is best to use "they are held" when you want to emphasize the state of being kept or maintained in a specific condition, whether physically or figuratively. For example, "They are held responsible for the accident" or "They are held in high regard".