Hold forth means talk for a long time and with great confidence, without noticing that people are bored: he held forth about restaurant prices throughout lunch. It's almost always ironic or disapproving. The topic can be anything, from traffic to art: hold forth on or about. Forth sounds like fourth but means 'forward'.
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hold forth on/about a subject; held forth
- He held forth about restaurant prices throughout lunch.
- The guest was holding forth on a subject nobody had asked about.
- While she held forth, the others quietly checked the time.
What changed
First versionHe holded forth about the traffic for half an hour.
RevisionHe held forth about the traffic for half an hour.
Hold is irregular, but the regular -ed rule makes holded feel right. The correct forms are hold, held, held: he held forth about the traffic.
Give a talk is neutral. Speak at length means talk for a long time, also without judgement. Hold forth is a long monologue nobody asked for: he held forth on politics until dessert arrived. In a thank-you to a speaker, this word would sound like mockery.
Your turn
Choose the past form: At dinner, he ___ forth on his favourite films.
Show the answer
held — Hold is irregular: hold, held, held. Holded isn't an English form.
Describe someone who held forth on a favourite topic, and how the others reacted.
Our neighbour held forth about lawn care while we waited for the rain to stop.
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