was held constant

USAGE SUMMARY

"was held constant" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a certain factor or variable remains unchanged or consistent throughout a given time period or experiment. Example: In order to accurately measure the effects of the new medication, the dosage of the drug was held constant while other variables, such as diet and exercise, were allowed to vary.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Physicality was held constant.

Personality and Individual Differences

Everything else was held constant.

Harvard Business Review

Course material was held constant across semesters.

Computers & Education

Ruminally degradable protein was held constant at 10.1% of DM.

Journal of Dairy Science

When item preselection was held constant, accuracy was equivalent for judging affect and judging personality.

Journal of Research in Personality

In all tests, the liquid flowrate was held constant, while the atomization gas flowrate was varied.

Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification

Strawboard density was held constant by controlling the gap in the press mold.

Industrial Crops and Products

Temperature was held constant.

Duke University

S1-S1 was held constant and S1-S2 varied.

Duke University

Temperature of injector was held constant at 250°C.

Chemistry Central Journal

Tidal volume was held constant during the protocol.

Annals of Intensive Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was held constant" in scientific writing, clearly state why this variable was held constant and its significance for the experiment or analysis. This provides context and strengthens the validity of your claims.

Common error

Avoid using "was held constant" without specifying what factors might have affected the tested variable. Without context, it reduces clarity and can confuse the reader about the importance of keeping the variable steady.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was held constant" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a specific variable or condition was deliberately maintained at a consistent level, preventing it from changing. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

88%

News & Media

6%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was held constant" is a passive verb phrase used to describe the act of keeping a variable unchanged during a process, particularly in scientific and academic contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that its primary function is to ensure experimental control and clarity. This phrase appears most frequently in scientific literature, signifying formal and precise communication. Remember to provide context when using this phrase to ensure that the importance of maintaining the constant variable is clear. Consider alternatives like "remained unchanged" or "was kept stable" for similar meanings with subtle nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained unchanged

Focuses on the lack of change over time.

stayed the same

Emphasizes the lack of variation or alteration.

was kept stable

Highlights the act of maintaining a steady state.

was maintained

Focuses on the effort to keep something in a particular state.

was fixed

Implies a more permanent or deliberate setting of a value.

was controlled

Highlights the management or regulation of a variable to prevent it from changing.

was standardized

Indicates a process of conforming to a standard or norm.

was regulated

Focuses on the act of managing something according to rules or laws.

was unvaried

Emphasizes the absence of variety or diversity.

was invariable

Suggests something is not capable of being changed.

FAQs

How can I use "was held constant" in a sentence?

Use "was held constant" to indicate that a particular variable or factor remained unchanged throughout a process, experiment, or analysis. For example: "The temperature "was held constant" throughout the experiment to ensure accurate results."

What are some alternatives to "was held constant"?

Alternatives include "remained unchanged", "stayed the same", or "was kept stable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "was held constant" or "remained constant"?

Both "was held constant" and "remained constant" are grammatically correct and similar in meaning. "Was held constant" emphasizes the active effort to maintain the variable's value, while "remained constant" simply states that the value did not change. Choose the phrase that best fits the context and your intended emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "was held constant" in scientific writing?

It's appropriate when describing experimental conditions or analytical procedures where certain factors were deliberately kept unchanged to isolate the effects of other variables. Always provide clear context on why the variable "was held constant" and its relevance to the study.