held a race

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a race" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the organization or occurrence of a competitive event, typically involving running, driving, or other forms of racing. Example: "The local community center held a race to raise funds for charity last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

They held a race.

The New Yorker

Nascar has not held a race on a Tuesday or a Wednesday in the modern era, which began in 1972.

The New York Times - Sports

IndyCar, the premier open-wheel race series in the United States, held a race on the streets of Baltimore in September.

The New York Times

But 150 years ago, Old Smoke did something truly special when he held a race meeting in a little patch of horse heaven in upstate New York.

The New York Times - Sports

For decades, Meadowlands racetrack held a race for grays and roans called the Grey Ghost on or close to Halloween night.

The New York Times - Sports

The Dredgers have held a race before, in 2007, before Superfund designation, but it was along a much shorter 250-foot course.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

As early as 1997, there had been talk of holding a race in Calcutta.

The New York Times - Sports

Nascar lowered the fee it charges racetracks to hold races, a move that should allow track owners to reduce ticket prices and lower various fees associated with holding a race.

The New York Times

CHAMP CAR WORLD SERIES -- Signed an agreement with Beijing Auto and Motor Sports Association to hold a race next year in Beijing.

The New York Times

The body that governs Formula 1 motor-racing is to decide whether to hold a race in Bahrain later this year: it had been postponed because of the unrest.

The Economist

So why should I be invited?" Indeed, many people wondered about the morality of holding a race by the world's richest sporting series in India.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more descriptive verbs to specify the type of race or the purpose behind holding it; for example, "hosted a charity race" or "organized a qualifying race."

Common error

Avoid using "held a race" when you mean to describe participating in a race. Instead, use phrases like "ran in a race" or "competed in a race" to clearly indicate your involvement as a participant, not an organizer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a race" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of organizing or conducting a competitive event. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. This expression is commonly used to describe the action of hosting or managing a racing event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held a race" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies the act of organizing or conducting a racing event. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans various contexts, primarily within news and media, encyclopedias, and wiki articles. The phrase conveys information about the planning and execution of a race, suitable for neutral and general communication. While alternatives like "organized a race" or "conducted a race" can be used, it's essential to avoid confusion with phrases describing participation in a race.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

organized a race

Focuses on the act of setting up and managing the race event.

conducted a race

Emphasizes the execution and management of the race.

staged a race

Highlights the presentation and setup of the race for an audience.

hosted a race

Indicates providing the location and resources for the race.

put on a race

Emphasizes the effort and production involved in organizing the event.

coordinated a race

Emphasizes the planning and arrangement of different elements of the race.

ran a race

Focuses on the act of participating or competing in the race, rather than organizing.

sponsored a race

Highlights providing financial or material support for the race.

presided over a race

Implies a formal role in overseeing and managing the race event.

officiated a race

Focuses on the act of refereeing and ensuring fair play.

FAQs

What does "held a race" mean?

The phrase "held a race" means that someone or some organization organized, hosted, or conducted a competitive event, typically involving running, driving, or other forms of racing.

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

You can use alternatives like "organized a race", "conducted a race", or "staged a race" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "held on a race"?

No, the correct phrase is "held a race". The preposition "on" is not used in this context. It's best to avoid "held on a race" as it is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "held a race" and "participated in a race"?

"Held a race" refers to organizing or hosting the event, whereas "participated in a race" means taking part as a competitor. They describe different roles in the event.