at a conference

USAGE SUMMARY

"at a conference" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about a specific conference that has taken place or will take place in the future. For example, "I will be presenting my project at a conference next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speak at a conference,"' she said.

The New York Times

My husband's at a conference.

The New Yorker

Recently I was at a conference.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most found seats at a conference table.

The New Yorker

She recalls meeting Mr. Brown at a conference.

The New York Times

And at a conference a lecturer referred to Zorn's Lemma.

The New York Times

He will present the evidence at a conference on Thursday.

Independent

Superforecasters at a conference in London in October 2015.

Independent

Obviously, it merits denouncing at a conference on combating violence.

The New York Times

In every one, he's sitting at a conference table.

The New Yorker

The men exchanged opening remarks at a conference table.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "at a conference", ensure the context clearly indicates which conference you are referring to, especially if you've mentioned multiple conferences or events in the same text. Add details like location or date if necessary.

Common error

Avoid substituting "at" with other prepositions such as "in" when referring to attending a conference. While "in a conference" might be understood, "at a conference" is the grammatically correct and more widely accepted form.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at a conference" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating location or participation. Ludwig examples show it describing someone speaking, meeting, or presenting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at a conference" is a common prepositional phrase used to specify the location or context of an event, indicating participation or presence in a formal meeting. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as grammatically correct, and its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as scientific sources, underscores its versatility. When using this phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the specific conference is well-defined. While alternatives like "during a convention" or "at a seminar" exist, "at a conference" remains a standard and widely understood choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during a convention

Replaces "conference" with "convention", implying a larger, more general gathering.

while attending a symposium

Substitutes "conference" with "symposium", suggesting a more academic or specialized meeting.

at a seminar

Replaces "conference" with "seminar", implying a smaller, more focused discussion or presentation.

during a workshop

Substitutes "conference" with "workshop", suggesting a hands-on, interactive session.

at a summit

Replaces "conference" with "summit", implying a high-level meeting, usually for leaders.

in a meeting

A more generic term that can replace "at a conference" in some contexts, but it lacks the specificity of a conference setting.

during the event

Refers to "conference" but more generally to the context of an event.

at the gathering

Replaces "conference" with "gathering", a more informal and general term.

while participating in a colloquium

Substitutes "conference" with "colloquium", denoting an academic conference or seminar.

at a convention center

Focuses on the location rather than the event itself, broadening the scope beyond a conference.

FAQs

What does "at a conference" mean?

The phrase "at a conference" means being present or participating in a formal meeting where people gather to discuss and share knowledge on specific topics.

What can I say instead of "at a conference"?

You can use alternatives like "during a convention", "while attending a symposium", or "at a seminar" depending on the context.

How to use "at a conference" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "I learned a lot about the new technology "at a conference" last week."

Which is correct, "at a conference" or "in a conference"?

"At a conference" is the grammatically correct and more common phrase. While "in a conference" might be understood, it is not standard usage.