gave a presentation

USAGE SUMMARY

"gave a presentation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It could be used when referring to someone who has recently made a formal presentation such as in a business meeting. For example, "Yesterday, John gave a presentation on his newest financial strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year ago, I gave a presentation that could make or break my second semester English grade.

Huffington Post

McKinsey gave a presentation.

The Guardian

"I gave a presentation to him".

The New York Times - Magazine

He also gave a presentation on environment.

The New York Times

He gave a presentation entitled "Understanding the HBOS Loan Book".

The Guardian

"He gave a presentation about access and stuff," she recalled.

The New York Times

And yet, I recently gave a presentation that… well… bombed.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Hawkins, gave a presentation on the Italian poet Dante.

The New York Times

Avalos gave a presentation on biofuels at the event.

Princeton University

At their last meeting, a woman gave a presentation on refugee work in the area.

The Guardian

Omand gave a presentation to the cabinet in June on the series of embarrassing leaks.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gave a presentation", ensure your sentence clearly indicates the topic and the audience, providing context for the presentation's purpose.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who "gave a presentation". Active voice (e.g., "The CEO gave a presentation") is clearer than passive voice (e.g., "A presentation was given by the CEO").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gave a presentation" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the action of formally presenting information. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and acceptable usage in English. The numerous examples provided demonstrate its prevalent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

28%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gave a presentation" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to describe the action of delivering a formal presentation, typically aimed at informing, educating, or persuading an audience. With examples spanning across news, academic, and scientific domains, this phrase exhibits a neutral to professional register and is considered very common. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "delivered a presentation" or "presented on", while ensuring active voice for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delivered a presentation

Replaces "gave" with "delivered", emphasizing the act of conveying information.

presented on

Focuses on the topic of the presentation, implying a formal setting.

held a presentation

Emphasizes the act of organizing and conducting the presentation.

conducted a presentation

Highlights the management and execution of the presentation.

offered a presentation

Implies a voluntary or optional aspect to the presentation.

showcased a presentation

Focuses on highlighting and displaying information in a compelling way.

unveiled a presentation

Suggests revealing new information or a new perspective.

shared a presentation

Highlights the collaborative or informative intention of the presentation.

lectured on

Emphasizes the instructive aspect of the presentation, typical in academic settings.

briefed on

Suggests a concise and informative session, often used in business contexts.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "gave a presentation"?

You can use alternatives like "delivered a presentation", "presented on", or "held a presentation" depending on the context.

How to use "gave a presentation" in a sentence?

You can use "gave a presentation" to describe someone who has delivered a formal talk or showcase of information, for example, "She gave a presentation on the latest marketing trends".

Is it more formal to say "delivered a presentation" instead of "gave a presentation"?

While both are acceptable, "delivered a presentation" often implies a more formal or professional setting, whereas "gave a presentation" is slightly more general.

What's the difference between "gave a presentation" and "made a presentation"?

"Gave a presentation" focuses on the act of delivering information, while "made a presentation" emphasizes the creation and preparation of the presentation itself. For example, "She made a compelling presentation" highlights the quality of the presentation's content and design.