Conjugation

Hold back

se retenir

Irregular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: back

    Only hold changes; back stays the same: held back, held back.

  • Object in the middle

    The object can go before back, as the card writes it: hold someone back. A pronoun always does: hold them back.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't hold back, he doesn't hold back.

    1. I / you / we / they hold back
    2. he / she / it holds back

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am holding back
    2. you / we / they are holding back
    3. he / she / it is holding back

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't hold back.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they held back

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to hold back
    2. you / we / they are going to hold back
    3. he / she / it is going to hold back

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't hold back.

    1. (you) hold back
    2. let's hold back