we held on

USAGE SUMMARY

"we held on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation in which two or more people have kept trying in the face of adversity or challenging circumstances. For example: "After months of difficulty, when it seemed like our project was doomed to fail, we held on and persevered until we achieved success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He followed me, and we held on tight so as not to slip and fall beneath the train, and waited for it to take a curve and slow down.

Independent

They put us under a little bit of pressure on the last day but we held on," said South Africa captain Smith.

BBC

"It wasn't the way it was planned - we should have shut out the game sooner to be perfectly honest," said Gray. "But, take nothing away from the win, we held on well.

BBC

They dictated this one and we held on and showed some fighting qualities".

BBC

The match carried on at the same furious pace, the ball pinging from one end to the other in seconds, but we held on to win 29-13.

The Guardian - Sport

"... she [nurse] took his pulse and she said, "he's on his way out", and she said, "both hold on to him" and my sister-in-law sat one side and I got on the bed and we held on to him and he died.

BMC Palliative Care

We held on.

The New Yorker

We held on," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We can if we hold on tight.

The New Yorker

But how else can we hold on to a little dignity?

The New Yorker

How do we hold on to a memory?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we held on" when you want to emphasize the effort and resilience of a group in maintaining a position, belief, or situation despite challenges. It suggests a conscious effort to not yield or give up.

Common error

Avoid using "we held on" when the situation implies a passive acceptance of circumstances rather than an active effort to maintain something. For passive situations, consider phrases like "we endured" or "we experienced" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we held on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of perseverance or resistance. It is typically used to convey that a group or entity managed to maintain their position, effort or belief in the face of adversity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Independent

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we held on" is a versatile phrase used to describe a group's perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an active effort to maintain something, and consider alternatives like "we persevered" or "we maintained our position" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase enjoys common usage across news, media and independent sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we persevered

Emphasizes continued effort in the face of difficulty.

we maintained our position

Focuses on keeping a specific status or location.

we kept trying

Highlights the act of continuous attempts.

we stood our ground

Implies resisting pressure or opposition.

we weathered the storm

Suggests enduring a difficult period.

we resisted

Highlights opposition or defense against something.

we coped

Indicates managing or dealing with a challenging situation.

we hung in there

An idiomatic expression for enduring a difficult time.

we didn't give up

Focuses on the absence of surrender.

we stayed strong

Emphasizes maintaining resilience.

FAQs

How can I use "we held on" in a sentence?

You can use "we held on" to describe a situation where a group persevered despite difficulties, such as "Despite the financial crisis, "we held on" and eventually recovered".

What are some alternatives to "we held on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "we persevered", "we maintained our position", or "we kept trying".

Is it correct to say "we holded on" instead of "we held on"?

No, "we holded on" is grammatically incorrect. The correct past tense form of "hold on" is ""we held on"".

What's the difference between "we held on" and "we relied on"?

"We held on" suggests enduring a difficult situation, while "we relied on" implies dependence on something or someone for support. The two phrases have different meanings and should not be used interchangeably.