had a solo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a solo" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a performance or an instance where someone performed alone, typically in music, dance, or theater. Example: "During the concert, she had a solo that captivated the entire audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A year later, in 2006, he had a solo exhibition at a local gallery, showing the new clocks, along with a number of drawings and murals.

The New York Times

Oladipo had a solo.

The New York Times - Sports

He never had a solo show there.

Independent

In 1920, she had a solo, a jazzy tap dance.

The New York Times - Arts

He also had a solo shot in the third.

The New York Times - Sports

(He recently had a solo exhibition in Berlin).

The New Yorker

Something of a recluse, Mr. Fairs never had a solo show during his lifetime.

The New York Times - Arts

The 46-year-old artist has never had a solo retrospective in a modern-art museum.

The Economist

Last fall, he had a solo show at the Farm gallery in Wellfleet, Mass.

The New York Times

Whenever anybody had a solo, Ringwald would turn and face him, dancing with emphasis.

The New Yorker

From August to September, he had a solo show at the Esmond-Wright Gallery. Esmond-Wright Gallery

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the context makes it clear that "solo" refers to an individual performance. If there's any ambiguity, specify the type of solo (e.g. "had a guitar solo", "had a dance solo").

Common error

Avoid using "had a solo" when you mean something else entirely. Make sure the sentence context makes it clear you are referencing an individual performance, and not simply the state of being alone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a solo" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of experiencing or undertaking a solo performance or activity. Examples from Ludwig confirm its usage in describing individual performances in music, dance, sports, or exhibitions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had a solo" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe someone participating in or experiencing an individual performance or activity. It is versatile and can be found across diverse contexts, mainly in news, sports and the arts. Ludwig AI validates the usability of the phrase, and while alternatives such as "performed a solo" or "gave a solo performance" exist, "had a solo" remains a straightforward and acceptable choice. The phrase's neutral tone makes it suitable for various communication registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performed a solo

Replaces "had" with "performed", emphasizing the action of performing.

gave a solo performance

Emphasizes the act of giving a performance by oneself.

featured in a solo

Highlights the presence of the person in a solo part.

presented a solo act

Uses "presented" to highlight the offering of a solo performance to an audience.

executed a solo piece

Focuses on the execution of a solo performance, often implying skill.

undertook a solo

Replaces performance with a more general verb that implies responsibility.

delivered a solo

Highlights the act of delivering a performance to an audience.

presented a solo exhibition

Specifies the context as an art exhibition rather than performance.

played a solo

More specific to a musical context, where someone played an instrument or sang alone.

had a singular performance

Uses "singular" to emphasize the unique or outstanding quality of the solo.

FAQs

What does "had a solo" mean?

The phrase "had a solo" means that someone performed alone, typically in a musical, dance, or theatrical context. It indicates they were the only person performing that particular part or act at that time.

What can I say instead of "had a solo"?

You can use alternatives like "performed a solo", "gave a solo performance", or "featured in a solo" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "had a solo" or should I use another phrase?

Saying "had a solo" is grammatically correct and commonly used. While it is perfectly fine, consider alternatives like "performed a solo" for a more formal tone. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

In what contexts is "had a solo" most commonly used?

The phrase "had a solo" is frequently used in contexts related to "music", "dance", and "theater" to describe an individual performance. It is also used in contexts relating to baseball, as in, 'had a solo shot'.