1
Core action
Remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
Example
The relationship holds true even when income is controlled statistically.
hold true
/həʊld truː/ · hohld TROOvalidity phrase
Remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
Use hold true to express this relationship precisely: remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
What hold true Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
A rule derived from adults may not hold true for younger participants.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
The generalisation holds true across all five regions in the study.
Use hold true Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The relationship holds true even when income is controlled statistically.
A rule derived from adults may not hold true for younger participants.
The generalisation holds true across all five regions in the study.
Precision Matters
Hold true overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
hold true
vs.Means remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
bear out
Means confirm or support a claim through evidence or experience.
hold true
vs.Means remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
hold true
vs.Means remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
validate
Means support the truth, accuracy, or value of something.
hold true
vs.Means remain valid, accurate, or applicable under the conditions being discussed.
substantiate
Means to support or establish a claim with evidence.
Test hold true in Context
The pattern remained valid in the larger study.
1
The pattern observed in the pilot study continued to ___ when the sample was expanded tenfold.