held a competition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a competition" is a correct and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to describe an event or activity where individuals or groups compete against each other in a specific task or challenge. Example: The local community center held a competition to see who could bake the best apple pie. The winner would be awarded a prize and their recipe would be featured in the center's next newsletter.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The village priest held a competition for its replacement.

The New York Times - Magazine

Riding the cocktail wave, the city last year held a competition to create its namesake drink.

The New York Times - Travel

Mr. Rachlevsky recently held a competition called "Homage to Mozart," and these composers were the finalists.

The New York Times - Arts

If they had held a competition for the best legs, Amy would have coasted it.

The Guardian

For the annual Year in Ideas Issue in December 2006, we held a competition to design a conceptual typeface.

The New York Times

In 1935 the Italian air force held a competition for a series of hangars to be built throughout Italy.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 2008, Felipe Calderón, the president, held a competition to identify and abolish the country's most pointless bit of bureaucracy.

The Economist

After the city agreed to the sale, the museum held a competition to choose an architect for the building's conversion.

The New York Times

For the last several years, Mr. Day has held a competition called the "Olga Korbut Classic," paying her to appear.

The New York Times

Christiansen's other masterstroke came in 1934, when he held a competition among his employees to choose a company name, and won it himself.

The New Yorker

Talk story about the N. Y. Lawn Bowling Club which held a competition on its greens in Central Park near W. 72nd St.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held a competition", ensure the context clearly indicates what type of competition was organized and what its purpose was for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "held a competition" without specifying the nature or field of the competition. For example, instead of saying 'The school held a competition', specify 'The school held a science competition' for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a competition" functions as a verb phrase, where "held" is the past tense of the verb "hold", and "a competition" serves as the direct object. As Ludwig AI explained, it describes the action of organizing and conducting a competitive event. Examples from Ludwig showcase its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a competition" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe the act of organizing and conducting a competitive event. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and wide acceptance. It's frequently found in news and media sources, as well as in encyclopedic and wiki entries. While alternatives like "conducted a competition" or "organized a competition" exist, the key is to maintain clarity and provide sufficient context about the nature and purpose of the competition. Remember to avoid common errors like using incorrect verb tenses or omitting essential details about the event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducted a competition

Uses "conducted" instead of "held", emphasizing the act of managing and guiding the competition.

organized a competition

Focuses on the planning and arrangement aspects of the competition.

hosted a competition

Highlights the role of providing a venue or platform for the competition.

staged a competition

Emphasizes the deliberate and planned nature of the competition, suggesting a well-prepared event.

ran a competition

Implies managing and overseeing the competition's activities and progress.

launched a competition

Focuses on the initiation or beginning of the competition.

sponsored a competition

Indicates providing financial or other support for the competition.

presented a competition

Highlights the act of showcasing or putting on the competition for an audience.

facilitated a competition

Emphasizes making the competition easier or smoother to conduct.

coordinated a competition

Stresses the act of bringing together different elements to ensure a smoothly run competition.

FAQs

How can I use "held a competition" in a sentence?

You can use "held a competition" to describe the act of organizing and conducting a competitive event. For example, "The company "held a competition" to find the best new product idea."

What are some alternatives to "held a competition"?

Some alternatives include "conducted a competition", "organized a competition", or "hosted a competition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "holded a competition" instead of "held a competition"?

No, "holded" is not the correct past tense of "hold". The correct past tense is "held", so the proper phrase is ""held a competition"".

What's the difference between "held a competition" and "organized a competition"?

While similar, ""organized a competition"" emphasizes the planning and logistical aspects, while ""held a competition"" focuses on the action of conducting the event itself. They are often interchangeable but have slightly different focuses.