held a reception

USAGE SUMMARY

'held a reception' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when describing an event where people are invited to attend and be welcomed formally. For example, "The mayor held a reception to honor the local school's 100th anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Late in the summer, President Obama held a reception in her honor at the White House.

The New Yorker

The publisher and editor held a reception in the firm's bookstore.

The New Yorker

Feb. 11: Hedge Funds Care held a reception for 80 guests at Cipriani 42nd Street.

The New York Times

A couple of weeks later, Queen Elizabeth held a reception in his honor at Buckingham Palace.

The New Yorker

The Bauer family held a reception in Berlin to mark the happy event.

The Guardian - Books

April 3: The Society of Illustrators held a reception for its exhibition "The Line of Fashion".

The New York Times

Cissy Ix testified that on the day of Martha Moxley's funeral she held a reception for the girl's friends.

The New Yorker

To end the week the Society held a reception at the Burlington House and received some two thousand guests.

The New Yorker

SALMAN RUSHDIE and PADMA LAKSHMI.; Sept. 6: Bergdorf Goodman held a reception for the Paris designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

The New York Times

Mayor Koch held a reception at Gracie Mansion for Don Enrique Tierno Galvan, the mayor of Madrid.

The New Yorker

He held a reception for them on Wednesday night at the bar that inspired the TV show "Cheers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held a reception" to describe formal events, celebrations, or gatherings intended to welcome or honor someone. Ensure that the context aligns with the formality of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "held a reception" when describing casual gatherings or informal parties. Opt for phrases like "threw a party" or "hosted a get-together" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a reception" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of hosting or organizing a formal social gathering. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held a reception" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of hosting a formal social gathering. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s suitable for describing events intended to welcome, celebrate, or honor individuals. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure the context aligns with the formality of the event and consider alternatives like "hosted a gathering" or "organized an event" for less formal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hosted a gathering

Replaces "reception" with a more general term, suitable for informal occasions.

organized an event

Focuses on the act of organizing rather than the specific type of social gathering.

staged a function

A more formal and general term for an event, suitable for official or ceremonial occasions.

conducted a social

Formal and emphasizes the social interaction aspect.

launched a meet-and-greet

Emphasizes the opportunity for attendees to meet and interact with each other.

threw a party

Suggests a more casual and celebratory atmosphere than a reception.

convened an assembly

Suggests a formal meeting or gathering for a specific purpose.

gave a welcome

Highlights the welcoming aspect of a reception, suitable when greeting someone.

held a convocation

Implies a formal gathering, often academic or ceremonial.

put on a soiree

Implies a sophisticated and stylish evening event.

FAQs

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

You can use "held a reception" to describe a formal event or gathering. For example, "The ambassador "held a reception" to celebrate the country's independence day".

What are some alternatives to "held a reception"?

Alternatives include "hosted a gathering", "organized an event", or "threw a party", depending on the context and formality.

Is it correct to say "hold a reception" instead of "held a reception"?

"Hold a reception" is the infinitive form and is correct in contexts where you're talking about planning or future events. "Held a reception" is the past tense and is used to describe an event that has already occurred.

What's the difference between "held a reception" and "hosted a dinner"?

"Held a reception" implies a more general gathering where guests mingle, often with drinks and light snacks. "Hosted a dinner", on the other hand, suggests a more formal, sit-down meal.