upholds

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bachmann got off to a good start, declaring that even if the supreme court upholds the law, in what she called "one of the most important consequential decisions it will ever make," the battle is not over.

The Guardian

22 December 2009: Appeals court upholds Guede's conviction, cuts sentence to 16 years.

The Guardian

We hope to achieve this in small but meaningful ways, through the stories we tell, the treasures we share … We believe that nurturing a better tomorrow upholds the yesterday we cherish, for all of us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But the university said it upholds rigorous admissions procedures to ensure all students are given equal opportunities, regardless of disability.

The Guardian

Roberts put it to Verrilli that if the court upholds the legislation then "all bets are off", and that Congress would have virtually unlimited power to force people to buy products in the name of the collective good.

The Guardian

If the Supreme Court upholds the federal law, says Mr Thurston, the Utah Health Exchange would not be derailed, but its adoption would remain limited to small business.

The Economist

As they read the first amendment, he told me, it upholds the right of students in schools or universities to pray if they want to, but it rules out compulsory prayer, or anything else that involves the state using coercive power to back up a particular religious belief.

The Economist

The decision upholds legislation passed by Congress last autumn that was written to clarify the law, but the issue may end up yet again in the Supreme Court.The Democrats failed to break a Republican filibuster in the Senate that would have allowed a vote on a resolution criticising George Bush's policy in Iraq.

The Economist

If it upholds those bans, the Supremes could hear the case late in the winter and issue a decision possibly a historic one next June.Before that, they have plenty of other thorny problems to settle.

The Economist

The former prime minister claimed it was a political stitch-up and wants to appeal against the verdict; his punishment will not take effect unless a higher court upholds the conviction.

The Economist

If the appeals court upholds the judgment, issued last June by Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson, the case is likely to go to the US Supreme Court, and it is anyone's guess what that court's nine justices would do.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upholds", ensure that the subject clearly demonstrates active support or maintenance of the object in question, such as a principle, law, or tradition.

Common error

Avoid using "upholds" when the subject only passively acknowledges something. "Upholds" implies active maintenance and enforcement, not mere awareness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upholds" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It signifies an action of supporting, maintaining, or defending something, typically a principle, law, or standard, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upholds" functions as a verb to describe the act of actively supporting, maintaining, or defending a principle, law, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "maintains" and "supports" exist, "upholds" carries a stronger connotation of active endorsement. When writing, ensure that the subject actively demonstrates support, as misuse can lead to inconsistencies. With its frequent usage and clear meaning, "upholds" is a versatile and reliable choice for expressing affirmation in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintains

Focuses on the continuous preservation of a state or condition.

Supports

Implies providing assistance or approval to something.

Preserves

Emphasizes keeping something intact or unchanged.

Defends

Suggests actively protecting something from attack or criticism.

Protects

Highlights safeguarding something from harm or damage.

Enforces

Focuses on ensuring compliance with a rule or law.

Adheres to

Emphasizes following a set of rules or principles closely.

Abides by

Similar to adheres to, but often used in the context of agreements or contracts.

Safeguards

Highlights the precautionary measures taken to ensure something's well-being or continuation.

Stands by

Implies loyalty and unwavering support for something, even in the face of adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "upholds" in a sentence?

You can use "upholds" to describe how someone or something actively supports or defends a principle, law, or tradition. For example, "The court "upholds" the law" or "The organization "upholds" its values".

What are some alternatives to the word "upholds"?

Some alternatives to "upholds" include "maintains", "supports", "preserves", and "defends". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "upholds to" instead of "upholds"?

No, it is not correct. The correct usage is simply "upholds". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "upholds" and "maintains"?

"Upholds" implies active support and enforcement, while "maintains" suggests preserving a state or condition. "The government "upholds" the constitution" implies active defense, while "The building "maintains" its structural integrity" describes preservation.