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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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to holds

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to holds" is not correct in written English.
It appears to be a grammatical error, as "holds" should be in the base form "hold" to match the infinitive "to." Example: "I want to hold the trophy after the game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

He added that sellers who are subject to holds can get their money in as little as three days if eBay concludes that the buyer is satisfied.

News & Media

The New York Times

She said that popular items included $20 wristbands for carpenters or household tinkerers that include a magnet that is used to holds nuts, bolts and screws.

News & Media

The New York Times

The Welsh side, in League Two, granted Oldham permission to holds talks on Tuesday with Sheridan, who took over as Newport's manager only in early October.

From filibusters to "holds" to the "hostage taking" over the budget and the debt ceiling, the Republicans in the Senate and House have stretched the rules and conventions of Congress to breaking-point.

News & Media

The Economist

This system arose because Greco-Roman wrestling, with its restriction to holds only above the waist and the forbidden use of legs for holds, tended to be dull once the wrestlers were on the mat.

From musician Cameron Sanderson, who was told to "go die in a hole" by one commenter when he was 12 – "I just laughed!" – to Holds ("The odd bad comment is just some eight year-old boy who fancies you"), these creators certainly try to treat trolls as irritants.

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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

ace to hold.

"I love to hold".

News & Media

The New Yorker

We try to hold him.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I tried to hold it".

News & Media

The New York Times

He tried to hold back.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the base form of the verb after "to". The correct phrase is "to hold", not "to holds".

Common error

Avoid using the third-person singular form of the verb after "to". The infinitive form always requires the base form of the verb, so it should always be "to hold", not "to holds".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

60%

Authority and reliability

1.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to holds" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""to hold"", which functions as an infinitive, often expressing purpose, intention, or possibility. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase should be in the base form "hold" to match the infinitive "to".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to holds" is a grammatical error and should be corrected to ""to hold"". As Ludwig AI confirms, the infinitive form requires the base form of the verb. This error renders the phrase unusable in any formal or informal context. When writing, ensure that you are using the base form of the verb after "to" to maintain grammatical accuracy. Remember that ""to hold"" expresses intention, obligation, or capability, and it's crucial to use it correctly to avoid miscommunication.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the infinitive form of the verb "hold"?

The correct infinitive form is "to hold". For example, "I want "to hold" the trophy" is correct, while "I want to holds the trophy" is incorrect.

What alternatives can I use instead of "to holds"?

Since "to holds" is grammatically incorrect, you should use ""to hold"". Depending on the context, you might also consider "intending to hold" or "planning to hold".

Why is "to holds" considered grammatically incorrect?

The infinitive form of a verb always requires the base form. The correct form is ""to hold"", where "hold" is the base form of the verb. Adding an "s" makes it the third-person singular present tense, which is not appropriate after "to".

Can you provide an example of a sentence using "to hold" correctly?

Yes, a correct example is: "It is important "to hold" onto your dreams." In this sentence, ""to hold"" functions as an infinitive, expressing the purpose or reason for the action.

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Most frequent sentences: