a presentation was done

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "a presentation was done" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation in which someone presented something to a group of people, or even used it to summarize the results of an event. For example, "At the end of the meeting, a presentation was done to inform the attendees of the upcoming changes to the company’s mission statement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The previous presentation was done a couple of months ago before the launch of a new challenge.

Duke University

Before the discussion started a short round the table presentation was done and information was given about the aim with the focus groups and a small presentation about the rumble strips.

European Transport Research Review

Additionally, after a trip last summer to Darien Lake amusement park where we watched a professional laser light show, we both had wondered how exactly this type of presentation was done.

Cornell University

By 5am, our presentation was done.

The Economist

The visual presentation was done with the help of two artists, Richard Nonas and Jared Bark.

The New York Times - Arts

This unusual presentation was done here twice last spring and apparently worked to everyone's satisfaction.

The New York Times - Arts

The hair for the presentation was done by Roy Teeluck and his crack team of hair people that he flew in from New York and Miami.

Huffington Post

The color presentation was done by Matlab.

eLife

Stimulus presentation was done using the PsychToolBox for Matlab.

Cerebral Cortex

The graphic presentation was done using GraphPadPrism® version 5.0.

BMC Veterinary Research

Graphical data presentation was done using the box plot procedure.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Clinical

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a presentation was done", ensure the context clearly indicates who performed the presentation and the recipient audience to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "a presentation was done by the marketing team for the executive board".

Common error

While grammatically correct, overusing passive constructions like "a presentation was done" can make writing sound less direct. Opt for active voice when possible to increase clarity and engagement. Instead of "a presentation was done", consider "the team presented" or "the speaker delivered the presentation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a presentation was done" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a presentation occurred, but the emphasis is on the action rather than the actor. This construction shifts focus away from who delivered the presentation, highlighting the event itself. According to Ludwig, the sentence is correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a presentation was done" is grammatically correct but represents a passive construction used to indicate that a presentation occurred. According to Ludwig, the phrase is usable, yet less direct compared to active voice alternatives. Due to the phrase's passive nature, it's crucial to ensure clarity about who delivered the presentation and to whom. While there is no example of the query in Ludwig's data, the phrase's neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts, though active alternatives are often preferred for directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the presentation was delivered

Emphasizes the act of giving or performing the presentation.

the presentation was given

Similar to 'delivered', focusing on the act of providing the presentation.

the presentation took place

Focuses on the occurrence or happening of the presentation.

the presentation occurred

More formal way to indicate the presentation happened.

the presentation was executed

Highlights the successful implementation or completion of the presentation.

the presentation was conducted

Suggests a structured or organized approach to the presentation.

the presentation was performed

Emphasizes the act of carrying out the presentation.

the presentation unfolded

Describes the way the presentation developed or revealed itself.

the presentation was staged

Implies a prepared or theatrical aspect to the presentation.

the presentation materialized

Suggests the presentation became a reality or was brought into existence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a presentation was done" to sound more active?

To make the sentence more active, use phrases like "the team "gave a presentation"", "the speaker "delivered a presentation"", or "they "presented the findings"".

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing presentations?

While both are grammatically correct, active voice is often preferred for its directness and clarity. For example, "the marketing team presented the plan" is more engaging than "a presentation was done by the marketing team".

What's the difference between "a presentation was done" and "a presentation was held"?

"A presentation was done" focuses on the act of giving the presentation, while "a presentation was held" emphasizes the event or session taking place.

When is it appropriate to use the passive construction "a presentation was done"?

The passive voice is suitable when the focus is on the action itself rather than the actor, or when the actor is unknown or unimportant. However, for clear and engaging writing, active voice alternatives are often preferable.