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doesn't hold firm / holds insecure

oleg ya

Senior Member
Ukrainian-Ukraine
Hello.
Imagine that somebody mounted a wall cabinet to a wall with screws. But it was fixed insecurely because the screws were not strong enough. I want to express my opinion on this matter using an intransitive verb, i.e. I want to say about the STATE of the wall cabinet. I have three options:
1. The wall cabinet doesn't hold firm.
2. The wall cabinet holds insecure.
3. The wall cabinet is loose.
The third choice seems totally wrong in this context. And something tells me that the first and second ones wouldn't be used by native speakers as well. Maybe you will suggest a better option.
Thank you in advance.
Actually 3 is perfect. You're right that 1 and 2 are wrong. 1 is close, but "hold firm" tends to be used metaphorically ("hold firm in your convictions") - it implies some active resistance against a force that is trying to move something. The wording in 2 does not actually exist: we don't say something "holds insecure" (or was "fixed insecurely" as you say in your question).

Another good option - maybe the best option - would be, "The cabinet isn't attached securely."

EDIT The only difference between "loose" and "not attached securely" is that "loose" implies you can actually touch it and it will shake or rattle. "Not securely attached" just means you know the connection isn't strong enough - whether or not you have actually tested it or seen it move.
Last edited:
isn't attached securely
But "loose" is "free or released from being fastened or attached". If the screws were not tightened properly I could say "the wall cabinet is loose", but here we have another situation - the screws are not sturdy and can break.
Thank you, "isn't attached securely" is perfect. But it seems to me that there must be some way to say that without an active verb.
EDIT The only difference between "loose" and "not attached securely" is that "loose" implies you can actually touch it and it will shake or rattle. "Not securely attached" just means you know the connection isn't strong enough - whether or not you have actually tested it or seen it move.
I have seen your last edit. If I get it right I can't use "loose" in the above mentioned context. Thank you once more.
1. The wall cabinet doesn't hold firm.
Hold is the wrong verb.
2. The wall cabinet holds insecure.
Hold is the wrong verb.
3. The wall cabinet is loose.
Loose is the wrong adjective: Loose is usually used of something that is an interference fit (rather than a compression fit) but which is insecure. Nuts and bearings are "loose".

4. The wall cabinet is insecure. :thumbsup:
Hold is the wrong verb.
I read the thread hold firm vs. hold firmly. If I understand it right, "hold firm = stay in place" is still used but rarely. If it is really seldom used, I must get it out of my head. I'm not sure.

I understand your point here, but this is typical in English: "it is Xed" describes a state, even when X is an active verb. We use present progressive ("it is being Xed") to describe an action or process.

Actually, I want to find out how to correctly use the verbs that mean "connect something to something"- namely "fix", "mount", "attach", "fasten" and corresponding adverbs or adjectives like "securely", "firmly","loose", "safely".
In an advertisement for shelves, hangers, and suchlike "holds firm" sometimes used:"Equipped with powerful suction cups, this shelf holds firm".
But if it is not colloquial, then there must be some equivalent, and I still can't find it. It can't be "is attached/ fixed/ fastened" because that thing isn't mounted yet. There must be a verb like "keep" or the intransitive "hold" in the meaning "to remain fast; adhere; cling". Maybe, is there something else instead of "hold firm" but some synonym is used instead of "firm"?
Hello.
Imagine that somebody mounted a wall cabinet to a wall with screws. But it was fixed insecurely because the screws were not strong enough. I want to express my opinion on this matter using an intransitive verb, i.e. I want to say about the STATE of the wall cabinet. I have three options:
1. The wall cabinet doesn't hold firm.
2. The wall cabinet holds insecure.
3. The wall cabinet is loose.
The third choice seems totally wrong in this context. And something tells me that the first and second ones wouldn't be used by native speakers as well. Maybe you will suggest a better option.
Thank you in advance.
Is there a particular reason why you want to use an intransitive verb and not the copula + adjective or the copula + present participle + adverb?
If I understand it right, "hold firm = stay in place" is still used but rarely. If it is really seldom used, I must get it out of my head. I'm not sure.
"Hold firm" implies an agency that the cabinet does not really possess.

A: "That cabinet will drop off the wall if you put something into it. You need something to hold it firm - something like a bracket."

A: "He will try to persuade you to go with him. Hold firm! Agree to nothing."
Actually, I want to find out how to correctly use the verbs that mean "connect something to something"- namely "fix", "mount", "attach", "fasten" and corresponding adverbs or adjectives like "securely", "firmly","loose", "safely".
In an advertisement for shelves, hangers, and suchlike "holds firm" sometimes used:"Equipped with powerful suction cups, this shelf holds firm".
"Equipped with powerful suction cups, that hold the shelf firmly in place."
"The cabinet isn't attached securely."

That is what I would probably say. The above has nothing to do with being loose or tight, and simply refers to secureness, that is, the probability that the cabinet will fall off the wall. That could happen because the screws are too small and break or, more likely, because the screws are too small and pull out of the wall.

I don't think I would usually use the verb "hold" in this context. I might use it in the context of adhesives, as in "The epoxy adhesive holds the piece firmly/securely in place."
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