contest was held

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contest was held" is grammatically and stylistically correct and is usable in written English.
For example: The spelling contest was held in the school auditorium last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A nationwide contest was held.

The New York Times

This year's contest was held in Oslo.

The New York Times

The second contest was held on the Potomac.

The New Yorker

A contest was held to find a better name (the prize, half a gallon of Scotch).

The New York Times

The contest was held in Oslo because Norway was last year's victor.

The New Yorker

The contest was held Aug. 15 and 16 at Watkins Glen, in the Finger Lakes region.

The New York Times

Two gunmen were shot and killed by police outside the building where the contest was held.

The Washington Post

The contest was held in Watkins Glen, in the Finger Lakes, on Aug. 17 and 18.

The New York Times

The most recent contest was held in Brooklyn on June 25.

The New York Times

The contest was held in thirty countries, and in India in six cities.

The New Yorker

Surfers have been flocking to Rincón, since the World Surf Contest was held there in 1968.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "contest was held", ensure that the context clearly indicates the type of contest, its purpose, and the participating entities for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "contest is held" when referring to a past event; use "contest was held" to maintain correct tense and convey that the event has already occurred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contest was held" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that a competition or event took place. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contest was held" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a past competition or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, including news, academic writing, and general announcements. While the phrase is versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "competition took place" or "event was conducted" for a more elevated tone. Remember to maintain proper tense and clarity in your writing. The frequency of this phrase in reputable sources underscores its reliability and broad acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

competition took place

Replaces "contest" with "competition" and uses "took place" instead of "was held", slightly more formal.

the competition occurred

Uses "the competition" instead of "contest", a bit more formal.

event was conducted

Substitutes "contest" with "event" and "held" with "conducted", which is a more formal way to say it.

the event took place

Replaces "contest" with "event", a more general term.

tournament occurred

Uses "tournament" instead of "contest", implying a structured competition; "occurred" is a straightforward substitute.

the competition was carried out

Replaces "held" with "carried out", which emphasizes the execution of the competition.

championship transpired

Replaces "contest" with "championship", indicating a high-level competition; "transpired" is a more formal substitute for "was held".

the showdown transpired

Replaces "contest" with "showdown", indicating a decisive competition; "transpired" replaces "was held".

match transpired

Uses "match" instead of "contest", applicable when it is a sports event; "transpired" is a more formal substitute for "was held".

the game was conducted

Uses "game" in place of "contest", suitable for competitive games; "conducted" replaces "was held".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "contest was held" to sound more formal?

You could use alternatives like "competition took place", "event was conducted", or "championship transpired" to convey a more formal tone.

What is a simpler way to say "contest was held"?

Simpler alternatives include phrases like "competition occurred" or "event took place".

Which is correct, "contest was held" or "contest is held"?

"Contest was held" is correct when referring to a past event. Use "contest is held" when describing a contest that is currently taking place or occurs regularly.

Can "contest was held" be used in academic writing?

Yes, "contest was held" is acceptable in academic writing, especially when reporting on past events or studies involving competitions. Ensure the context is clear and the language is appropriate for the specific discipline.