held a party

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a party" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of organizing and hosting a social gathering or celebration. Example: "Last weekend, she held a party to celebrate her birthday with friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Universal held a party on the roof.

The New York Times

One of my relatives, a professional pianist, held a party last year.

The New York Times

On June 9th he held a party for journalists (some with bodyguards) to reinforce that message.

The Economist

They held a party in their little front garden to watch the goings on.

The New Yorker

Broad, undeterred, held a party at LACMA that summer to celebrate his seventy-fifth birthday.

The New Yorker

They have since cleaned up the courtyard, and held a party there over the summer.

The New York Times

Salvatore Ferragamo held a party for Signorina, its new women's fragrance.

The New York Times

It also held a party at 10 Downing Street when David Cameron was prime minister.

The Guardian - Music

Prince held a party the following night at Paisley Park, where he made a brief appearance.

The Washington Post

The New Year's Eve before they recorded Tarantula, Gardener held a party.

The Guardian - Music

Wheeler held a party to celebrate the end of the depressive phase of her illness.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held a party" to describe a planned social event. Consider the context; more formal events might be described as "hosting a gathering", while casual events can be described as "throwing a party".

Common error

While "held a party" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversations. Opt for alternatives like "threw a party" or "had a get-together" when speaking with friends or family to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a party" functions as a verbal phrase where "held" is the past tense of the verb "hold", and "a party" serves as the direct object. This construction describes the action of hosting or organizing a social gathering. Ludwig examples showcase various contexts, confirming its standard usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a party" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe the act of hosting a social gathering. As supported by Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and appears predominantly in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral tone. When choosing this phrase, consider the formality of the situation and opt for alternatives like "threw a party" or "hosted a gathering" to best suit the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

threw a party

Implies a more spontaneous or casual event.

had a get-together

Suggests a more informal and relaxed event with close friends or family.

hosted a gathering

A more formal way of saying "held a party", suitable for professional contexts.

threw a bash

Implies a large and lively party.

organized a celebration

Focuses on the celebratory aspect of the event, rather than just the act of hosting.

hosted an event

A broad term that can encompass various types of gatherings, not necessarily celebratory.

put on a reception

Suggests a formal event, often for a specific purpose.

organized a social

Focuses on the social aspect of the gathering, implying interaction and mingling.

gave a soiree

Implies a sophisticated and elegant party.

threw a shindig

An informal way of saying "held a party", suggesting a fun and lively atmosphere.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "threw a party", "hosted a gathering", or "had a get-together" depending on the context.

Is "held a party" formal or informal?

"Held a party" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In more casual settings, phrases like "threw a party" or "had a bash" may be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "held a party"?

It's appropriate to use "held a party" when describing a planned or organized social event. This phrase works well in news reports, formal invitations, or when recounting events in a neutral tone.

Which is correct, "held a party" or "hold a party"?

"Held a party" is the past tense form, used to describe an event that already occurred. "Hold a party" is the present tense or infinitive form, used when discussing planning or the possibility of an event.