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 held
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The sentence 'a presentation was held' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a presentation that has occurred in the past. For example, "The department held a presentation yesterday about their upcoming initiatives."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Academia
Formal & Business
Wiki
Alternative expressions(16)
a presentation took place
a presentation occurred
the presentation was given
a presentation was given
the presentation was conducted
the presentation happened
the presentation was staged
a discussion was held
a show was held
a presentation was conducted
a proposal was held
a briefing was held
a presentation was made
a workshop was held
a proposal was made
a proposal was submitted
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
2 human-written examples
Last week, a presentation was held at Downing Street on women's views of the government, reflecting the eye Tony Blair now has on the next election.
News & Media
A presentation was held at ECOMM 2104 (European Conference on Mobility Management) with the title "Four future pathways on mobility needs.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
58 human-written examples
Preliminary findings and recommendations were presented at a meeting held in Kathmandu in November 2009 and attended by MA stakeholders in Nepal; a follow-up presentation was held in May 2010.
Formal & Business
His presentation was held in an underground cavern first dug out during Lebanon's civil war by Palestinian guerrillas.
News & Media
Herbalife products — Formula 1 drink mix, aloe water and herbal tea — were being offered on a table outside the auditorium where the presentation was held.
News & Media
ABC's presentation was held on May 18th, before a packed house at the New Amsterdam Theatre, in Times Square — the home of Disney's long-running musical "The Lion King".
News & Media
The loudness of the stimuli presentation was held constant across all listeners to a comfortable level.
When James won his second consecutive Most Valuable Player Award last season, the trophy presentation was held in Akron.
News & Media
The presentation was held up for several minutes, forcing Uefa apparatchiks to nudge Celtic captain Billy Cesar McNeillll towards the podium in a car, a nice touch considering his monicker.
News & Media
Three people, including two in wheelchairs, held yellow placards and protested the new taxis in front of the building where the presentation was held.
News & Media
The team presentation was held Thursday just off Piazza San Marco, the famous Venice square where riders were introduced to a crowd of about 600 in the shadow of St. Mark's Basilica.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using the phrase "a presentation was held", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic and purpose of the presentation for better understanding.
Common error
Avoid using "a presentation will be held yesterday". Ensure the tense aligns with the timeline of the event. If the presentation happened in the past, use "was held".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "a presentation was held" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that a presentation event occurred. This passive construction emphasizes the event rather than the person or group that organized or gave the presentation. Ludwig confirms this with numerous examples across varied sources.
Frequent in
News & Media
30%
Academia
25%
Science
20%
Less common in
Formal & Business
15%
Wiki
10%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "a presentation was held" is a grammatically correct and common way to indicate that a presentation event occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across diverse contexts, including news, academia, science, and business. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, the specific context in which it's used will dictate the overall formality. Remember to align the tense correctly and provide sufficient context for clarity. Alternative phrases such as "a presentation took place" or "the presentation was given" can be used to add nuance.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
a presentation took place
Replaces "was held" with "took place" maintaining the same meaning.
a presentation was given
Focuses on the act of presenting rather than just the event happening.
a presentation occurred
Substitutes "was held" with "occurred", indicating an event happening.
the presentation was conducted
Replaces "was held" with "was conducted", suggesting a more formal or organized event.
the presentation happened
Uses "happened" instead of "was held", making it slightly more informal.
the presentation was staged
Emphasizes the preparation and arrangement of the presentation.
the presentation commenced
Replaces "was held" with "commenced", indicating the start of the presentation.
the presentation transpired
Uses "transpired" instead of "was held", indicating the event's unfolding.
the presentation unfolded
Emphasizes the sequence of events during the presentation.
the presentation convened
Highlights the gathering aspect of the presentation.
FAQs
How can I rephrase "a presentation was held"?
You can use alternatives such as "a presentation took place", "a presentation occurred", or "the presentation was given" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.
What is the difference between "a presentation was held" and "a presentation was made"?
"A presentation was held" refers to the event itself taking place. "A presentation was made" focuses on the act of presenting information. The subtle distinction depends on whether you want to emphasize the event or the action.
Is it correct to say "a presentation will be held"?
Yes, "a presentation will be held" is correct when referring to a future event. For example, "A presentation will be held next week to discuss the new marketing strategy."
Can I use "a presentation was conducted" instead of "a presentation was held"?
Yes, "a presentation was conducted" is a valid alternative. It often implies a more formal or organized setting than "a presentation was held".
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