Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
a presentation was given
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The sentence "a presentation was given" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an event or activity where someone gave a presentation. For example: "Yesterday, a presentation was given on the company's new product line."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
News & Media
Formal & Business
Academia
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
8 human-written examples
A presentation was given by Dr Chrysanthi Koutsiviti to make the film more approachable to the audience.
Academia
Therefore, a presentation was given to decision makers responsible for public safety in the City of London.
Each week a presentation was given to students by UW faculty who are experts in their field.
Science
In addition, a presentation was given at an ABAHO Public Health Preparedness Subcommittee meeting in order to inform additional public health professionals in the region about the study.
Science
A presentation was given of the female genital anatomy, using a detailed plastic model and photographs of the vulva and vagina.
Science
A presentation was given on the objectives and outputs of WP1, specific questions were asked of the group and they were asked for their views.
Science
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
52 human-written examples
In this article a presentation is given on the general aspects of competency-based planning and evaluation.
Also a presentation is given of how to deal with the stability of non-conservative problems when using the dynamic method.
Police in London have been criticised for including activists from the city's Occupy protests alongside al-Qaida and the IRA in a presentation being given to prepare nursery and primary school staff for potential terrorist attacks on the UK.
News & Media
The cocaine was synthetic and the student was a volunteer for a presentation being given inside a packed gymnasium by Andy Henellin, president of Dogs by Andy, a company he founded in Manorville, on Long Island, that, among other things, trains dogs to sniff for contraband.
News & Media
In this paper a presentation is given of the design of an educational intervention focused on the teaching of written language to a 10 year-old child with Chiari Type I, who failed to learn to read even though he have had favourable school conditions.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the phrase "a presentation was given" when you want to emphasize the action of presenting information, without necessarily focusing on who delivered the presentation.
Common error
While grammatically correct, relying too heavily on the passive voice can make your writing sound impersonal or vague. Consider using the active voice (e.g., "The speaker gave a presentation") when it's important to highlight the person or entity responsible for the presentation.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a presentation was given" functions as a passive construction, indicating that an act of presenting information occurred. As shown in Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears in various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness.
Frequent in
Science
40%
News & Media
20%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Academia
15%
Wiki
10%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "a presentation was given" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to indicate that a presentation occurred. It's versatile, fitting various contexts from scientific reports to news articles and business communications. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity. While the passive voice is useful, consider the active voice for a more direct style when the presenter is important. Remember, clarity and context should guide your choice. Explore synonyms to enhance your writing.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a presentation was made
Uses 'made' as a substitute for 'given', indicating the creation or delivery of the presentation.
a presentation took place
Replaces the passive voice with a more active structure using 'took place'.
a presentation was conducted
Substitutes 'given' with 'conducted', emphasizing the act of carrying out the presentation.
a presentation was held
Replaces 'given' with 'held', focusing on the event aspect of the presentation.
the presentation occurred
Uses 'occurred' to describe the happening of the presentation.
someone gave a presentation
Transforms the sentence from passive to active voice, specifying an actor.
a speaker delivered a presentation
Highlights the role of the speaker and the action of delivering the presentation.
the presenter gave a talk
Focuses on the 'talk' aspect of a presentation, with the presenter as the subject.
the topic was presented
Shifts the focus to the subject matter being presented.
a demonstration was provided
Indicates a visual or practical illustration was offered, similar to a presentation.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "a presentation was given" to be more active?
You can use the active voice by saying something like "The speaker gave a presentation" or "The team presented the findings". These alternatives put the focus on the actor rather than the action. You can explore alternatives such as "someone gave a presentation".
What does "a presentation was given" imply about the speaker?
The phrase "a presentation was given" doesn't explicitly specify who the speaker was. It simply indicates that a presentation took place. If the speaker is important, it's better to state it directly (e.g., "Dr. Smith gave a presentation").
Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing a presentation?
It depends on the context. If you want to emphasize the presenter, use the active voice (e.g., "She delivered the presentation"). If the presenter is unknown or less important than the presentation itself, the passive voice ("a presentation was given") is appropriate.
What are some formal synonyms for "a presentation was given"?
Formal synonyms include "a presentation was delivered" or "a presentation was conducted". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing. Another option is "a presentation was made".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested