a main event

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main event" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the most important or significant event in a series of events, such as in a schedule or program. Example: "The concert will feature several opening acts, but the main event will be the performance by the headlining band."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It transforms writing from a main event into an accompaniment.

The Guardian - Books

But it is being portrayed as a main event, because people want to have some hope.

The New York Times

He does the famous soliloquies with a throwaway grace that makes them less than a main event.

The New York Times

For modern-day Bey, dance is no longer a main event; it's there to serve her highness.

The Guardian - Music

Nearly 20 years later, the Davis Cup is still a main event in France, but not globally.

The New York Times - Sports

But this is above all an embarrassment to an event that has too rarely felt like a main event.

The New York Times - Sports

The posters, originally produced as ephemeral objects in support of a main event, are now highlighted as primary artifacts.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Stephanie: … But if you walk out and you make the people notice you, you can be a main-event guy.

The New Yorker

"It's like a main-event fight," said Mr. Thompson, a resident of the Parkchester South condominium complex in the Bronx.

The New York Times

Styles would be deemed 'too small' to be a main-event star in WWE and would never progress past the mid-card.

Independent

He was a main-event fighter for boxing promoter Gary Shaw's short-lived EliteXC circuit, winning the first MMA event on prime-time television.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a main event" to clearly signal the most significant or anticipated part of a program, schedule, or series of occurrences. This helps to immediately focus the audience's attention.

Common error

Avoid using "a main event" to describe something of minor importance. Reserve it for truly significant occurrences to maintain its impact and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main event" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most important or prominent occurrence within a series of events, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main event" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to denote the most important or anticipated part of a series of events. As demonstrated by Ludwig's AI, the phrase is versatile and appears across diverse contexts, from news and media to academic and scientific writings. It's crucial to reserve the term for genuinely significant occurrences to maintain its impact, and you can use alternatives like ""a key attraction"" or ""the highlight"" depending on the specific nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the highlight

Shortens the phrase while retaining the core meaning of importance.

a key attraction

Emphasizes the element of drawing attention and interest.

a featured highlight

Highlights the element of being specially presented or promoted.

a central focus

Stresses the aspect of being the core or most important point.

a significant happening

Focuses on the importance and noteworthiness of the occurrence.

a major draw

Highlights the event's ability to attract a large audience.

the leading feature

Emphasizes the event's role as the most prominent or important element.

a pivotal moment

Emphasizes the turning point or critical nature of the event.

the headline act

Specifically refers to the top-billed performer or event.

the centerpiece

Highlights the event as a central or focal point.

FAQs

How can I use "a main event" in a sentence?

Use "a main event" to describe the most important or highly anticipated part of an event. For example, "The conference featured several workshops, but the keynote speech was "a main event"."

What are some alternatives to using "a main event"?

Alternatives to "a main event" include "a key attraction", "a central focus", or simply "the highlight", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a main event" in formal writing?

Yes, "a main event" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing scheduled programs or significant occurrences. However, ensure the context warrants the term's emphasis.

What makes something qualify as "a main event"?

A "main event" is typically the most significant, anticipated, or heavily promoted part of a larger event. It usually draws the most attention and is considered the highlight by attendees.