Cool MateDetain vs Hold
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Detain
Hold
| Detain | Hold | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈteɪn/","/dɪˈteɪnz/","/dɪˈteɪnd/","/dɪˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. | To have something in your hands or arms. |
| Example | The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. | Please hold this book while I grab my bag. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | briefly, indefinitely, illegally, need not, for, in connection with, be detained in custody, be detained in hospital, detain somebody without charge | firmly, securely, tightly, commonly, widely, deeply |
| Antonyms | release, free, liberate | release, let go, drop |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'retain' which means to keep possession of something., Using 'detain' when referring to someone simply waiting, instead of being held by authority., Incorrectly using 'detain' without specifying who is being detained. | Confused with 'held' in past tense forms., Using 'hold' when referring to emotional support instead of 'support'., Mistakenly used as 'hold on' in formal writing. |
| Usage notes | Used in legal and police contexts. Be careful using it informally; it's not common in everyday conversations about delays or waiting. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing for physical holding; instead, use 'grasp' or 'clutch.' |
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Frequently asked questions: Detain vs Hold
What's the difference between Detain and Hold?
Detain: To keep someone in a place, usually by the police, so they cannot leave. Hold: To have something in your hands or arms.
Which is more formal: Detain and Hold?
Detain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Detain and Hold?
Hold is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Detain and Hold?
Detain is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Detain and Hold the same CEFR level?
Detain: C1, Hold: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Detain and Hold?
Detain: verb, Hold: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Detain: The police decided to detain the suspect for further questioning. Hold: Please hold this book while I grab my bag.
Can I use Detain and Hold interchangeably?
Not always. Detain and Hold are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.