to be upheld

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to be upheld' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a law, agreement, or belief that is still in effect and accepted as authoritative. For example: "The terms of the contract must be upheld."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The law has to be upheld.

Independent

"Besides, there are traditions to be upheld".

Independent

The Oregon law deserves to be upheld.

The New York Times

That is why it deserves to be upheld.

The New York Times

Such a ruling would require only a simple majority of senators to be upheld.

The New Yorker

His decision is preliminary but likely to be upheld by judges.

Independent

In their view intellectual-property rights have to be upheld to induce firms to innovate.

The Economist

Captain Schettino's arrest is expected to be upheld by a preliminary investigating judge.

Independent

Garfield DeMarco denied any wrongful conduct and said he expected the land sale to be upheld.

The New York Times

The decision is all but certain to be upheld by regulators appointed by the next administration.

The New York Times

That decision would then have to be upheld by the United States Congress.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be upheld", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is being supported or maintained. For example, "The principles of justice need to be upheld."

Common error

Avoid using "to be upheld" in active voice constructions. For instance, instead of "We must to be uphold the law", use the correct form: "We must uphold the law" or "The law must be upheld."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be upheld" functions as a passive infinitive, often used to indicate that a rule, law, principle, or decision should be supported or maintained. Ludwig examples confirm this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Evolution: Education and Outreach

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Huffington Post

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be upheld" is a commonly used passive infinitive that signifies the need for something (like a law, principle, or standard) to be maintained, supported, or defended. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in identifying what exactly needs to be supported. Alternatives such as "to be maintained" or "to be preserved" can be considered based on the specific nuance you want to convey. Avoid using "to be upheld" in active voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be maintained

Focuses on preserving the current state or condition of something.

to be preserved

Emphasizes protecting something from harm or decay.

to be sustained

Highlights the need for ongoing support to keep something going.

to be enforced

Implies active measures to ensure compliance with a rule or law.

to be validated

Focuses on confirming the accuracy or legitimacy of something.

to be defended

Emphasizes protecting something from attack or criticism.

to be supported

Highlights the provision of assistance or resources to keep something in place.

to be observed

Implies compliance or obedience to a rule or custom.

to be honored

Emphasizes respect for an agreement or commitment.

to be protected

Focuses on shielding something from danger or harm.

FAQs

How can I use "to be upheld" in a sentence?

You can use "to be upheld" to describe something, like a law or a principle, that should be maintained or supported. For example, "The court's decision is expected "to be upheld" by a higher court".

What phrases are similar to "to be upheld"?

Similar phrases include "to be maintained", "to be preserved", and "to be enforced". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Which is correct, "to be upheld" or "to uphold"?

"To be upheld" is the passive infinitive form, used when the subject receives the action. "To uphold" is the active infinitive, used when the subject performs the action. For example, "The values need "to be upheld"" (passive) vs. "We must "to uphold" these values" (active).

What does it mean when something is said "to be upheld"?

When something is said ""to be upheld"", it means that it is supported, maintained, or defended. This often refers to laws, principles, standards, or decisions that are expected to remain in effect or be validated.