What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
holds
Example
He holds the key to the safe. [holds: verb]
Example
She holds the baby tightly in her arms. [holds: verb]
Example
The memory of her childhood home holds a special place in her heart. [holds: verb]
grasp
Example
She grasped the rope tightly and climbed up the wall. [grasped: past tense verb]
Example
I finally grasped the meaning of the difficult math problem. [grasped: past tense verb]
Example
He has a good grasp of the English language. [grasp: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Holds is more commonly used than grasp in everyday language. Holds is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while grasp is less common and primarily used in academic or intellectual contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between holds and grasp?
Grasp is generally considered more formal than holds. It is often used in academic or professional settings to describe understanding or comprehension.
