upholding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upholding" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of maintaining or supporting a principle, law, or standard. Example: "The organization is committed to upholding the values of integrity and transparency in all its operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Despite all this, some EU members are upholding their traditions of military might, and are prepared to deploy armed forces abroad.

The Guardian

That would leave the UK outside the family of nations upholding universal human rights and would hugely diminish our reputation abroad.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it concludes by calling on the Bahraini government "to recommit to upholding press freedom and freedom of expression in Bahrain, and to take immediate steps to end all intimidation, arrest, abuse, prosecution and detention of journalists and media professionals on charges relating to their work".

The Guardian

It was also upholding the principle of freedom of expression.

The Guardian

I don't suppose London civil servants (professionally committed to upholding the UK state) carry a great deal more clout than Osborne in Scottish public debate, but at least he's not a Tory, and he did seem to know what he was talking about.

The Guardian

He has every chance to repair the blunders of his predecessor while upholding the principles of compassionate, centrist Conservatism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Chief Justice Roberts could conceivably be a sixth vote to uphold – the chief justice surrenders his power to assign the opinion if he joins with the dissenters, and if Kennedy's vote is lost, he may decide to try to moderate the opinion upholding the statute – but I think it's highly unlikely that he would be a fifth.

The Guardian - Opinion

Martha F Davis teaches constitutional law at Northeastern University school of law To the increasing number of legal observers who see the supreme court upholding the Affordable Care Act as a near certainty, Tuesday's oral arguments may be a surprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although his whereabouts are currently unknown, he has been granted legal aid, and his lawyers are asking three court of appeal judges in London to quash high court orders made in October 2012 upholding a decision by home secretary's to restrict his movements.

The Guardian

Sir Jeremy Heywood, the cabinet secretary, and Sir Christopher Geidt, the Queen's private secretary, embarked on discussions to work out how the Queen might register her concerns at the prospect of a yes vote while upholding her constitutional duty to remain wholly impartial.

The Guardian

The resolution called on the 193 UN member states "to review their procedures, practices and legislation regarding the surveillance of communications, their interception and collection of personal data, with a view to upholding the right to privacy of all their obligations under international human rights law".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upholding" when you want to convey a sense of actively maintaining or defending a principle, law, or standard.

Common error

Avoid using "upholding" when the subject isn't actively maintaining or supporting something. Ensure the subject takes a direct and active role.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upholding" is that of a verb, specifically the present participle of the verb "uphold". It often acts as a gerund or participle, modifying nouns or verbs, as shown in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upholding" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb form that signifies actively maintaining or defending a principle, law, or standard. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, formal communications, and general discussions. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, ensure that the subject takes an active role in maintaining or defending something. Consider alternatives such as "maintaining" or "preserving" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The most common usage appears in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining

Focuses on keeping something in its current state or condition.

supporting

Highlights the act of providing assistance or approval to something.

defending

Emphasizes protecting something from attack or criticism.

preserving

Stresses the importance of keeping something safe from harm or decay.

sustaining

Implies continuous support or maintenance over time.

safeguarding

Highlights protecting something from potential danger or threat.

championing

Emphasizes actively advocating for something.

backing

Focuses on giving approval or encouragement.

advocating

Implies publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.

promoting

Stresses actively encouraging the growth or development of something.

FAQs

How can I use "upholding" in a sentence?

You can use "upholding" to describe the act of maintaining or defending a principle, law, or standard. For example, "The organization is committed to upholding its values."

What are some alternatives to using "upholding"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintaining", "supporting", or "preserving".

Is it correct to say "upholding of values"?

Yes, "upholding of values" is a correct and commonly used phrase, referring to the act of actively maintaining certain values.

What is the difference between "upholding" and "enforcing"?

"Upholding" generally refers to maintaining or supporting something, while "enforcing" implies actively ensuring that a rule or law is obeyed.