Ahold versus A hold

What is the Difference Between Ahold and A Hold?

When to Use Ahold

Ahold functions as an adverb. It means roughly the same as hold in this sense; namely, it modifies a verb like get to imply possession, ownership, or contact.

When to Use A Hold

A hold is a phrase, consisting of the indefinite article a and the noun hold, with hold meaning a method of restraint or blockage

When to Use Hold

The construction used more frequently than both of the above constructions is to get hold of. This construction is simpler and is used much more frequently than either of the above constructions.

Summary

Is it a hold or ahold? As the above distinctions prove, the subtleties that are a hallmark of English usage can be confusing.

Ahold is an informal adverb that modifies a verb to show possession or contact.

A hold is a phrase consisting of an indefinite article and a noun.

Both should be avoided when hold is easily used instead.