held a conference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a conference" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to indicate that a group of people organized and gathered to discuss a specific topic. For example, "The company held a conference to discuss their new marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He held a conference call with bloggers.

The New York Times

Mr. Olds held a conference later on.

The New Yorker

Equity recently held a conference in Blackpool.

The Guardian

New York University held a conference.

The New York Times

He later held a conference call with Republican attorneys general.

The New York Times

Several weeks later, Vivendi and Seagram held a conference call.

The New York Times

Sixteen of them held a conference call after the hearing.

The New York Times

In November the Carnegie Institution and America's space agency, NASA, held a conference on the topic.

The Economist

To kick off the effort, Mrs. Clinton held a conference call with 10 prominent chief executives.

The New York Times

In 2003, Harvard held a conference honoring Mr. Schram called "Mao Re-evaluated".

The New York Times

Also on Monday, the union held a conference call with agents to update them on negotiations.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held a conference" to emphasize the formal act of organizing and conducting a meeting, rather than simply mentioning a discussion or conversation.

Common error

Avoid using "held a conference" to describe casual or impromptu meetings. This phrase implies a planned, organized event with a specific agenda. Use alternative phrases like "had a meeting" or "got together" for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a conference" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of organizing and conducting a formal gathering. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's a common and grammatically correct phrase used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a conference" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe the act of organizing and conducting a formal meeting or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across diverse sources, from news media to academic publications. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and suits professional communication. When using it, it's important to specify the conference's purpose for clarity and avoid using it for informal gatherings. Alternatives like "convened a meeting" or "conducted a symposium" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

convened a meeting

Focuses on the act of formally assembling a group for a specific purpose, highlighting the official nature of the gathering.

conducted a symposium

Emphasizes a more academic or specialized gathering, suggesting a deeper exploration of a particular subject.

hosted a summit

Suggests a high-level meeting, often involving leaders or prominent figures, with the aim of reaching agreements or setting agendas.

organized a seminar

Implies a smaller, more instructional gathering focused on teaching or sharing knowledge.

arranged a colloquium

Describes a formal meeting for academic discussion or debate, usually involving experts in a field.

presided over a session

Highlights the act of leading or managing a specific part of a larger meeting or event.

chaired a discussion

Focuses on the role of guiding and moderating a conversation among participants.

staged a convention

Suggests a larger, more elaborate event, often involving exhibits, presentations, and networking opportunities.

put on a workshop

Implies a hands-on, interactive session focused on developing skills or exploring specific techniques.

assembled a panel

Emphasizes the gathering of experts to discuss a topic from multiple perspectives.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "held a conference"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "convened a meeting", "conducted a symposium", or "hosted a summit".

How do I use "held a conference" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe the act of organizing and conducting a formal meeting or discussion. For example, "The organization held a conference to discuss new strategies."

Is "held a conference" formal or informal?

"Held a conference" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase, suitable for professional and academic contexts. Informal alternatives might include "had a get-together" or "organized a meet-up".

What is the difference between "held a conference" and "attended a conference"?

"Held a conference" implies that someone or some organization organized and hosted the event, while "attended a conference" means someone participated in a conference organized by others.