graduation ceremony

USAGE SUMMARY

"graduation ceremony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can typically be used to refer to a ceremony in which diplomas, degrees, or other academic awards are presented to a graduating class. For example, "The high school held its graduation ceremony last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Howard University graduates swag surfed at their graduation ceremony.

Huffington Post

The graduation ceremony was S.R.O.

The New York Times - Magazine

The man claimed to remember their graduation ceremony.

The New Yorker

His debut was on the day of his graduation ceremony.

The New York Times

The writer observed a graduation ceremony al-Hakim presided over.

The New Yorker

Their graduation ceremony looks like an episode of "Survivor".

The New York Times

My sister-in-law planned for her daughter's graduation ceremony.

The New Yorker

At the graduation ceremony, Rawlins was fighting back tears.

The New Yorker

The graduation ceremony was held in the jail gymnasium.

The New York Times

They vowed to skip the graduation ceremony in protest.

The New York Times

Botanical Garden's 11th graduation ceremony for its Children's Gardencraft Classes.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "graduation ceremony", specify the institution or type of graduation (e.g., high school graduation, university graduation) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "graduation ceremony" interchangeably with terms like "graduation party". The former refers to the formal event where degrees are conferred, while the latter is a celebratory gathering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "graduation ceremony" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples showcase its role in describing events and experiences related to academic milestones. It refers to a specific type of event centered around the completion of studies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "graduation ceremony" is a grammatically sound and widely used term to describe the formal event marking the completion of an academic program. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, Wiki and Formal & Business contexts, reflecting its broad applicability. Related phrases include "commencement exercise" and "convocation", offering alternatives depending on the desired level of formality. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, emphasizing its role in describing academic milestones and celebrations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Graduation exercises

Plural form emphasizing the various activities involved in graduation.

Ceremony for graduates

A more descriptive and less idiomatic alternative.

Commencement exercise

More formal and academic term for a graduation ceremony.

Convocation

Formal term, often used in universities.

Degree awarding ceremony

Focuses specifically on the act of awarding degrees.

Graduation day celebration

Highlights the celebratory nature of graduation.

Passing out parade

Used primarily in military or police academy contexts.

Valediction ceremony

Emphasizes the farewell aspect of graduation.

Academic procession

Focuses on the parade or march of graduates and faculty.

Final academic rite

Emphasizes the ceremonial and concluding nature of graduation.

FAQs

What is the purpose of a graduation ceremony?

A graduation ceremony marks the completion of an educational program, celebrating students' achievements and formally awarding diplomas or degrees.

What can I say instead of "graduation ceremony"?

You can use alternatives like "commencement exercise" or "convocation", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it correct to say "graduation ceremony" or "graduation celebration"?

Both are correct but have different meanings. A "graduation ceremony" is the formal event, while a "graduation celebration" refers to a party or informal gathering to celebrate the achievement.

What typically happens during a graduation ceremony?

A graduation ceremony typically includes speeches, the awarding of diplomas or degrees, and sometimes performances or presentations by students.