without holding back

USAGE SUMMARY

"without holding back" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that someone is not holding anything back and is expressing their opinion or thoughts fully. For example, "He spoke openly about his feelings without holding back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

They certainly fought without holding back.

The Guardian

She knew their world and they posed for her without holding back.

The New Yorker

I think she has a completely open heart and gave to me and the kids without holding back at all.

The New York Times

We've loved her without holding back, since she bounced into our lives, knowing that one day she will leave us.

The Guardian

And Mr. Thielemann said: "We know each other so well, we can tell each other our opinions without holding back.

The New York Times

McBee wanted to believe that if he gave his entire story without holding back, people would be interested in that story, with all of its complexity.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"It's very difficult for me, I can't live without him," he says, holding back tears.

BBC

It goes without saying, be transparent and present your earnings and financial information without any deception or holding back.

Huffington Post

Start with "Once upon a time there was a (girl/boy) who... " and write it out for at least five minutes without editing yourself or holding back.

Huffington Post

The technology could be used to create "invisible" fences capable of holding back crowds without resorting to gunfire.

The New York Times

Iraida Hada, the principal of Hempstead Elementary here, said that merely holding back students without a special program to address their needs would not have been as effective.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "without holding back" to add emphasis to situations where complete honesty or effort is crucial. For example, "The team discussed the project's shortcomings without holding back, leading to significant improvements."

Common error

While "without holding back" is widely acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "frankly" or "candidly" in professional or academic writing to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without holding back" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to describe how an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, demonstrating that it effectively conveys the manner in which something is done with complete openness and without reservation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without holding back" is a commonly used phrase that effectively conveys a sense of complete honesty and openness in expression or action. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. While it is most prevalent in news and media, it is also acceptable in more informal settings. To maintain a formal tone, consider alternatives such as "candidly" or "frankly". Remember to emphasize sincerity when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with nothing held back

This phrase rewords the original query, maintaining the core meaning with a slight structural variation.

openly and honestly

This phrase expands on the idea of directness by explicitly mentioning both 'openness' and 'honesty'.

with complete honesty

This alternative highlights the comprehensive nature of the honesty involved.

candidly

This single word emphasizes the direct and honest nature of the communication.

frankly

Similar to 'candidly', this adverb highlights the straightforward and open quality of the expression.

without reservation

Focuses on the lack of hesitation or doubt in the expression or action.

unreservedly

This adverb similarly suggests a complete lack of restrictions or limitations.

wholeheartedly

Emphasizes the genuine and complete commitment behind the action or expression.

giving it everything

This focuses more on effort and dedication, but still conveys a sense of not holding anything back.

in full measure

This implies a generous and complete offering, similar to not holding anything back.

FAQs

How can I use "without holding back" in a sentence?

You can use "without holding back" to describe someone expressing themselves openly and honestly. For example, "She shared her opinions "without holding back" during the meeting."

What does "without holding back" mean?

The phrase "without holding back" means to express oneself or act in a way that is completely open, honest, and unrestrained, not concealing any thoughts, feelings, or effort.

Which is correct, "without holding back" or "without hold back"?

"Without holding back" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Without hold back" is grammatically incorrect.

What are some alternatives to saying "without holding back"?

Some alternatives include "candidly", "frankly", or "openly and honestly". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.