Held vs. Hold: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Held" is the past tense and past participle of "hold," which refers to the act of grasping or maintaining possession, whereas "hold" is the present tense, denoting the action of grasping or possessing something currently.
Key Differences
Held is the past tense form of hold, used to describe an action that has already been completed. For example, "She held the book tightly." Hold, in contrast, is the present tense form, describing an ongoing or current action, as in "He holds the key to the door."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Held often implies that the action was done previously and is now complete, such as in the sentence "The meeting was held last week." Hold, on the other hand, suggests that the action is in the present or will occur in the future, like "They will hold a conference next month."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
In different scenarios, held can have various connotations such as possession, control, or support in the past, as in "The bridge held many cars." Hold implies current support, control, or possession, as in "This shelf can hold many books."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Held is used in various contexts to indicate a past event or state, such as "He had held a high position in the company." Hold is used to express a current or future state, such as "She will hold a meeting tomorrow."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Held often signifies an action or state that has been completed at a specific time in the past, such as "The concert was held last night." Hold signifies a present or future action or state, such as "I hold the belief that education is important."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Grammatical Tense
Past tense and past participle of 'hold'
Present tense form of 'hold'
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Nov 18, 2023
Time Reference in Usage
Refers to completed actions in the past
Indicates ongoing or future actions
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Nov 18, 2023
Connotation in Scenarios
Often implies past possession or support
Suggests current or future support
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Nov 18, 2023
Contextual Application
Used to indicate past events or states
Expresses current or future states
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Nov 18, 2023
Relation to Time and Actions
Signifies completed actions at a past time
Indicates present or future actions
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Nov 18, 2023
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Held and Hold Definitions
Hold
To contain or be capable of containing
This cup can hold a lot of coffee.
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Nov 18, 2023
Hold
To possess or maintain (a belief or opinion)
I hold that honesty is important.
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Nov 18, 2023
Held
Past belief or opinion
He held the belief that honesty is the best policy.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Hold
To keep from falling or moving; support
A nail too small to hold the mirror.
Hold the horse steady.
Papers that were held together with staples.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To keep from departing or getting away
Hold the bus! Hold the dog until I find the leash.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Held
Occupied or in the control of; often used in combination;
Enemy-held territory
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To retain (one's attention or interest)
Televised sports can't hold my interest.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To avoid letting out or expelling
The swimmer held her breath while underwater.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To have as a chief characteristic or quality
The film holds many surprises.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To have and maintain in one's possession
Holds a great deal of property.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To have as a responsible position or a privilege
Held the governorship for six years.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To have in recognition of achievement or superiority
Holds the record for the one-mile race.
Holds the respect of her peers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To maintain occupation of by force or coercion
Protesters held the embassy for a week.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To withstand the efforts or advance of (an opposing team, for example).
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To maintain in a given condition, situation, or action
The storyteller held the crowd spellbound.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To reserve or keep back from use
Please hold two tickets for us. Hold the relish on that hamburger.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To defer the immediate handling of
The receptionist held all calls during the meeting.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To be in possession of, whether legally entitled or not
Holds an interest in the company.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To keep in the mind or convey as a judgment, conviction, or point of view
Holds that this economic program is the only answer to high prices.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To assert or affirm, especially formally
This doctrine holds that people are inherently good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To cause to take place; carry on
Held the race in Texas.
Hold a yard sale.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To assemble for and conduct the activity of; convene
Held a meeting of the board.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To carry or support (the body or a bodily part) in a certain position
Can the baby hold herself up yet? Hold up your leg.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To cover (the ears or the nose, for example) especially for protection
Held my nose against the stench.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To maintain a desired or accustomed position or condition
Hopes the weather will hold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To withstand stress, pressure, or opposition
The defense held. We held firm on the negotiations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To be valid, applicable, or true
The observation still holds in cases like this.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(Slang) To have in one's possession illicit or illegally obtained material or goods, especially narcotics
The suspect was holding.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A manner of grasping an opponent, as in wrestling or aikido
A neck hold.
An arm hold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A control or adjustor on a television that keeps the screen image in proper position
Adjusted the horizontal hold.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A telephone service that allows one to temporarily interrupt a call without severing the connection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A bond or force that attaches or restrains, or by which something is affected or dominated
A writer with a strong hold on her readership.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A direction or indication that something is to be reserved or deferred.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(transitive) To have and keep possession of something.
Hold my coat for me.
The general ordered the colonel to hold his position at all costs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To be or remain valid; to apply (usually in the third person).
To hold true;
The proposition holds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(transitive) To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(transitive) To bear, carry, or manage.
He holds himself proudly erect.
Hold your head high.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(intransitive) Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To remain continent; to control an excretory bodily function.
To hold one's bladder;
To hold one's breath
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(heading) To maintain or keep to particular opinions, promises, actions.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(transitive) To bind (someone) to a consequence of his or her actions.
He was held responsible for the actions of those under his command.
I'll hold him to that promise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To organise an event or meeting (usually in passive voice).
Elections will be held on the first Sunday of next month.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(imperative) In a food or drink order at an informal restaurant etc., requesting that a component normally included in that order be omitted.
One ham-and-cheese sandwich; hold the mustard.
A martini, please, and hold the olive.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
An order that something is to be reserved or delayed, limiting or preventing how it can be dealt with.
Senator X placed a hold on the bill, then went to the library and placed a hold on a book.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(wrestling) A position or grip used to control the opponent.
He got him in a tight hold and pinned him to the mat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(gambling) The percentage the house wins on a gamble, the house or bookmaker's hold.
The House Hold on the game is 10,000, this is the amount of decision or risk the house wishes to assume.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(gambling) The wager amount, the total hold.
As of Monday night the total Melbourne Cup hold was $848,015
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(tennis) An instance of holding one's service game, as opposed to being broken.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The part of an object one is intended to grasp, or anything one can use for grasping with hands or feet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A fruit machine feature allowing one or more of the reels to remain fixed while the others spin.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The queueing system on telephones and similar communication systems which maintains a connection when all lines are busy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(baseball) A statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who is not still pitching at the end of the game and who records at least one out and maintains a lead for his team.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
(aviation) A region of airspace reserved for aircraft being kept in a holding pattern.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The cargo area of a ship or aircraft (often holds or cargo hold).
We watched our luggage being loaded into the hold of the plane.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The whole interior portion of a vessel below the lower deck, in which the cargo is stowed.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The act of holding, as in or with the hands or arms; the manner of holding, whether firm or loose; seizure; grasp; clasp; grip; possession; - often used with the verbs take and lay.
Ne have I not twelve pence within mine hold.
Thou should'st lay hold upon him.
My soul took hold on thee.
Take fast hold of instruction.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The authority or ground to take or keep; claim.
The law hath yet another hold on you.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Binding power and influence.
Fear . . . by which God and his laws take the surest hold of.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Something that may be grasped; means of support.
If a man be upon an high place without rails or good hold, he is ready to fall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A place of confinement; a prison; confinement; custody; guard.
They . . . put them in hold unto the next day.
King Richard, he is in the mighty holdOf Bolingbroke.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A place of security; a fortified place; a fort; a castle; - often called a stronghold.
New comers in an ancient hold
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A character [thus ] placed over or under a note or rest, and indicating that it is to be prolonged; - called also pause, and corona.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To cause to remain in a given situation, position, or relation, within certain limits, or the like; to prevent from falling or escaping; to sustain; to restrain; to keep in the grasp; to retain.
The loops held one curtain to another.
Thy right hand shall hold me.
They all hold swords, being expert in war.
In vain he seeks, that having can not hold.
France, thou mayst hold a serpent by the tongue, . . . A fasting tiger safer by the tooth,Than keep in peace that hand which thou dost hold.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To retain in one's keeping; to maintain possession of, or authority over; not to give up or relinquish; to keep; to defend.
We mean to hold what anciently we claimOf deity or empire.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To have; to possess; to be in possession of; to occupy; to derive title to; as, to hold office.
This noble merchant held a noble house.
Of him to hold his seigniory for a yearly tribute.
And now the strand, and now the plain, they held.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To impose restraint upon; to limit in motion or action; to bind legally or morally; to confine; to restrain.
We can not hold mortality's strong hand.
Death! what do'st? O, hold thy blow.
He had not sufficient judgment and self-command to hold his tongue.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To maintain in being or action; to carry on; to prosecute, as a course of conduct or an argument; to continue; to sustain.
Hold not thy peace, and be not still.
Seedtime and harvest, heat and hoary frost,Shall hold their course.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To prosecute, have, take, or join in, as something which is the result of united action; as to, hold a meeting, a festival, a session, etc.; hence, to direct and bring about officially; to conduct or preside at; as, the general held a council of war; a judge holds a court; a clergyman holds a service.
I would hold more talk with thee.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To receive and retain; to contain as a vessel; as, this pail holds milk; hence, to be able to receive and retain; to have capacity or containing power for.
Broken cisterns that can hold no water.
One sees more devils than vast hell can hold.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To accept, as an opinion; to be the adherent of, openly or privately; to persist in, as a purpose; to maintain; to sustain.
Stand fast and hold the traditions which ye have been taught.
But still he held his purpose to depart.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To consider; to regard; to esteem; to account; to think; to judge.
I hold him but a fool.
I shall never hold that man my friend.
The Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To bear, carry, or manage; as he holds himself erect; he holds his head high.
Let him hold his fingers thus.
O, fie! to receive favors, return falsehoods,And hold a lady in hand.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
In general, to keep one's self in a given position or condition; to remain fixed. Hence:
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Not to move; to halt; to stop; - mostly in the imperative.
And damned be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!"
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Not to give way; not to part or become separated; to remain unbroken or unsubdued.
Our force by land hath nobly held.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Not to fail or be found wanting; to continue; to last; to endure a test or trial; to abide; to persist.
While our obedience holds.
The rule holds in land as all other commodities.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Not to fall away, desert, or prove recreant; to remain attached; to cleave; - often with with, to, or for.
He will hold to the one and despise the other.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To restrain one's self; to refrain.
His dauntless heart would fain have heldFrom weeping, but his eyes rebelled.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To derive right or title; - generally with of.
My crown is absolute, and holds of none.
His imagination holds immediately from nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The act of grasping;
He released his clasp on my arm
He has a strong grip for an old man
She kept a firm hold on the railing
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Understanding of the nature or meaning or quality or magnitude of something;
He has a good grasp of accounting practices
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Power by which something or someone is affected or dominated;
He has a hold over them
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Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Time during which some action is awaited;
Instant replay caused too long a delay
He ordered a hold in the action
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
A state of being confined (usually for a short time);
His detention was politically motivated
The prisoner is on hold
He is in the custody of police
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
The appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it;
He grabbed the hammer by the handle
It was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Organize or be responsible for;
Hold a reception
Have, throw, or make a party
Give a course
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Have or hold in one's hands or grip;
Hold this bowl for a moment, please
A crazy idea took hold of him
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
To close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement;
This holds the local until the express passengers change trains
About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade
The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center
The terrorists held the journalists for ransom
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Have rightfully; of rights, titles, and offices;
She bears the title of Duchess
He held the governorship for almost a decade
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Have or possess, either in a concrete or an abstract sense;
She has $1,000 in the bank
He has got two beautiful daughters
She holds a Master's degree from Harvard
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Keep in mind or convey as a conviction or view;
Take for granted
View as important
Hold these truths to be self-evident
I hold him personally responsible
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Contain or hold; have within;
The jar carries wine
The canteen holds fresh water
This can contains water
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits;
Moderate your alcohol intake
Hold your tongue
Hold your temper
Control your anger
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Remain in a certain state, position, or condition;
The weather held
They held on the road and kept marching
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Maintain (a theory, thoughts, or feelings);
Bear a grudge
Entertain interesting notions
Harbor a resentment
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Assert or affirm;
Rousseau's philosophy holds that people are inherently good
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Secure and keep for possible future use or application;
The landlord retained the security deposit
I reserve the right to disagree
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Hold the attention of;
The soprano held the audience
This story held our interest
She can hold an audience spellbound
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Support or hold in a certain manner;
She holds her head high
He carried himself upright
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Have room for; hold without crowding;
This hotel can accommodate 250 guests
The theater admits 300 people
The auditorium can't hold more than 500 people
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Be capable of holding or containing;
This box won't take all the items
The flask holds one gallon
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Take and maintain control over, often by violent means;
The dissatisfied students held the President's office for almost a week
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Protect against a challenge or attack;
Hold that position behind the trees!
Hold the bridge against the enemy's attacks
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Declare to be;
She was declared incompetent
Judge held that the defendant was innocent
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Have as a major characteristic;
The novel holds many surprises
The book holds in store much valuable advise
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Bind by an obligation; cause to be indebted;
He's held by a contract
I'll hold you by your promise
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Cover as for protection against noise or smell;
She held her ears when the jackhammer started to operate
Hold one's nose
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Drink alcohol without showing ill effects;
He can hold his liquor
He had drunk more than he could carry
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
The same rules go for everyone
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Arrange for and reserve (something for someone else) in advance;
Reserve me a seat on a flight
The agent booked tickets to the show for the whole family
Please hold a table at Maxim's
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Resist or confront with resistance;
The politician defied public opinion
The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear
The bridge held
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Stop dealing with;
Hold all calls to the President's office while he is in a meeting
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Aim, point, or direct;
Hold the fire extinguisher directly on the flames
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Hold
Be in accord; be in agreement;
We agreed on the terms of the settlement
I can't agree with you!
I hold with those who say life is sacred
Both philosophers concord on this point
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the basic difference between held and hold?
Held is the past tense of hold, indicating past action; hold is the present tense, indicating current or future action.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can held indicate past possession?
Yes, held can indicate past possession or control over something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Is hold used for organizing events?
Yes, hold can be used to describe organizing or conducting events in the present or future.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How does held relate to past beliefs?
Held can refer to a belief or opinion that was maintained in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can hold imply physical capacity?
Yes, hold can imply the physical capacity to contain or support something.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What does 'held responsible' mean?
'Held responsible' means being considered accountable for something in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How is hold used in legal contexts?
In legal contexts, hold can mean to maintain a position or decision.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What is meant by 'held in high regard'?
'Held in high regard' means being respected or esteemed in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How is hold used in physical contexts?
Hold is used to describe the action of grasping or carrying something in the present.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What does 'held a position' mean?
'Held a position' means to have occupied a role or job in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Does held imply completion of an action?
Yes, held often implies that an action or state has been completed.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Is hold used in the context of beliefs?
Yes, hold can be used to express current beliefs or opinions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can hold indicate support or stability?
Yes, hold can indicate the ability to support or maintain stability.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How is held used in the context of events?
Held is used to refer to events that were organized or took place in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What does 'held dear' mean?
'Held dear' means to have cherished or valued something in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can hold be used in the context of opinions?
Yes, hold can be used to express current opinions or convictions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
How does hold relate to future plans?
Hold can be used to describe plans or actions intended for the future.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Is held used in expressions of time?
Yes, held is often used in expressions related to time, indicating past events.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
What does 'held up' mean in past tense?
'Held up' can mean delayed or obstructed in the past.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
Can hold refer to emotional support?
Yes, hold can refer to providing emotional support or comfort.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 18, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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