a proposal was held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a proposal was held" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is typically used incorrectly as "held" suggests an event rather than the act of presenting a proposal. Example: "A proposal was presented to the board during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Later, when a proposal was held up by filibuster, Wilson urged a cloture rule cutting off debate.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

ISSAC and Sycamore Creek filed appeals to the Orange County board shortly afterward and a public hearing for each proposal was held last month as officials heard from opponents and advocates.

Los Angeles Times

A third and final public hearing on the proposal was held Feb.

The New York Times

He might fare better when the actual vote on his Gaza proposal is held.

The New York Times

Public hearings on the proposal were held in January and February; the next hearing is on Tuesday at the village hall.

The New York Times

Keneally told Icac that, when the former Labor powerbroker and MP, Eddie Obeid, rang her to express his frustration at the proposal being held up, she questioned him about his son's involvement.

The Guardian

"If there isn't that clear action over the next few days, it may very well be that the proposals are held back further," he said in a BBC Television interview.

The New York Times

But it would be no surprise to some experts if the Dilnot proposals are held over to be dealt with in the next three-yearly comprehensive spending review, due in 2015.

Independent

The proposed amendment is an adaptation of a proposal that is held up in the Environmental and Public Works Committee.

The New York Times

A public consultation was held on a proposal to give Gloriana a permanent home at Twickenham's former Orleans House boatyard on the river Thames.

BBC

After the general proposal was ready, a meeting was held during a national congress of the Brazilian Federation of Societies of Gynecology and Obstetrics in November 2007 where representatives of several healthcare institutions from around the country were present.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "a proposal was held". Opt for clearer and more grammatically correct alternatives such as "a proposal was presented" or "a meeting was held regarding the proposal".

Common error

The word "held" typically refers to events like meetings or hearings. Using "held" with "proposal" can create confusion. Ensure you specify the event that took place concerning the proposal, such as "a meeting regarding the proposal was held."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a proposal was held" functions as a subject and verb construction, but its grammatical correctness is disputed. The term "held" typically describes events, as seen in Ludwig's similar examples where "hearings were held".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a proposal was held" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's more accurate to say that a meeting or discussion regarding a proposal was held or that the proposal itself was presented or submitted. While examples exist, especially in News & Media contexts, clearer and more standard alternatives are preferable for formal writing. Opt for phrases like "a proposal was presented" or "a meeting was held regarding the proposal" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a proposal was presented

Replaces "held" with "presented" to focus on the action of introducing the proposal.

a proposal was submitted

Emphasizes the act of formally providing the proposal for consideration.

a meeting was held regarding the proposal

Specifies that a meeting took place to discuss the proposal.

a discussion on the proposal took place

Highlights the discussion or deliberation of the proposal.

the proposal was under consideration

Focuses on the ongoing process of evaluating the proposal.

the proposal was reviewed

Highlights the act of examining the proposal.

the proposal was debated

Emphasizes the discussion and arguments surrounding the proposal.

a hearing on the proposal was conducted

Highlights that there was an official inquiry about the proposal.

the proposal was put forward

Focuses on the act of suggesting or introducing the proposal.

the proposal was advanced

Highlights the progress of the proposal through a process.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a proposal was held"?

You can use alternatives like "a proposal was presented", "a proposal was submitted", or "a meeting was held regarding the proposal" depending on the context.

Is "a proposal was held" grammatically correct?

No, "a proposal was held" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases that clearly indicate what action was taken concerning the proposal.

How to use "a proposal" in a sentence correctly?

Instead of saying "a proposal was held", try "a proposal was discussed", "a proposal was reviewed", or "a proposal was put forward" to describe the action taken with the proposal.

What's the difference between "a proposal was held" and "a meeting on the proposal was held"?

"A meeting on the proposal was held" is more specific and clearer because it indicates that a meeting took place to discuss the proposal. "A proposal was held" is vague and grammatically awkward.