held a demonstration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a demonstration" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is commonly used to describe an event in which a group of people gather to protest something or to show support for an issue. For example, "The group held a demonstration outside the city hall to protest the proposed tax increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A year ago, City College San Francisco (CCSF) students held a demonstration calling for the resignation of Special Trustee Robert Agrella and the reversal of a new tuition policy.

Huffington Post

When Mordechai told the victims advocates, they held a demonstration outside the DA's office.

The Guardian

Forty-eight arrests were made the last time EDL held a demonstration in Manchester.

The Guardian

Protesters held a demonstration in support of Diallo outside Vance's office and demanded that he step down.

The Guardian

Thousands of Mogadishu residents held a demonstration to oppose the deployment of foreign troops in the country.

The New York Times

A group of people calling themselves Action for Rational Transit (ART) held a demonstration outside the Manhattan Center, last Thurs.

The New Yorker

The resolution also condemned the arrests of protesters who held a demonstration in downtown Baku on Monday as many international guests began arriving for the Eurovision festivities.

The New York Times

In May, Mr. Davis and some patients held a demonstration outside 3M's corporate headquarters in St . Paul at which he accused 3M of abandoning a "lifesaving" technology.

The New York Times

Among the hundreds of residents who held a demonstration to back Mr. Coke last week was one hoisting a placard that read, "After God, then Dudus".

The New York Times

Outside the World Service offices, staff members held a demonstration against the impending cuts and laid wreaths with messages like "R.I.P. World Service".

The New York Times

In December, several months after the contracts were initiated, about 2,000 students held a demonstration against the new rules, according to local news reports.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held a demonstration", ensure the context clearly indicates the cause or issue being protested or supported. Be specific about who held the demonstration and where it took place.

Common error

Avoid using the past perfect tense (had held) when a simple past tense (held) is sufficient. The past perfect implies the demonstration occurred before another past event, which is often unnecessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a demonstration" functions as a verb phrase, where "held" is the main verb and "a demonstration" is the direct object. It describes the action of organizing and carrying out a public expression of opinion or protest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held a demonstration" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of organizing and conducting a public protest or expression of opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news and media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse contexts. While alternatives like "staged a protest" or "organized a rally" exist, "held a demonstration" remains a clear and widely understood way to convey this action. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly identifies the cause and participants of the demonstration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staged a protest

Emphasizes the planned and organized nature of the demonstration.

organized a demonstration

Focuses on the planning and structure involved in setting up a demonstration.

organized a rally

Highlights the gathering aspect of the demonstration, often for a specific cause.

conducted a protest

Implies a formal and deliberate action of demonstrating.

mounted a demonstration

Suggests a more forceful and determined effort in carrying out the demonstration.

launched a protest

Implies the start or initiation of the protest action.

participated in a demonstration

Focuses on the involvement of individuals in the demonstration.

carried out a protest

Emphasizes the execution and completion of the protest action.

hosted a demonstration

Highlights the role of a specific entity in sponsoring and overseeing the demonstration.

assembled for a demonstration

Focuses on the act of people coming together for the purpose of demonstrating.

FAQs

What does "held a demonstration" mean?

The phrase "held a demonstration" refers to the act of organizing and conducting a public gathering to express opinions or protest against something. It implies a deliberate action to show support or opposition to a cause.

What can I say instead of "held a demonstration"?

You can use alternatives like "staged a protest", "organized a rally", or "conducted a protest" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

How to use "held a demonstration" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The students "held a demonstration" to protest the tuition increase." or "Union leaders "held a demonstration" outside Parliament."

Is "held a demonstration" formal or informal?

The phrase "held a demonstration" is considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, making it suitable for news reports, academic papers, and general conversation.