held a seminar

USAGE SUMMARY

"held a seminar" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase whenever you want to talk about a seminar or workshop in the past tense. For example, "The professor held a seminar on the history of literature last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

She heard about it when the assisted living facility where her father-in-law, Robert McCarty, 92, was living, held a seminar on it.

The New York Times

To clarify matters, Jean-François Copé, the UMP's general secretary, held a seminar this week on the party's values, suggesting they should be defined as "generosity, courage, firmness".

The Economist

In December, the American Association for the Advancement of Science held a seminar on the war on terrorism and what it means for science.

The Economist

Last winter, he held a seminar at the World Economic Forum in Davos, and later, another at the Egyptian resort town of Sharm el Sheikh with Tony Blair.

The New York Times - Magazine

The New Britain Foundation for Public Giving also held a seminar on the topic that attracted about 200 people, Ms. Powell said.

The New York Times

Three years ago, Charles and David Koch, the billionaire industrialists and supporters of libertarian causes, held a seminar of like-minded, wealthy political donors at the St . Regis Resortin Aspen, Colo.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

He was holding a seminar on nonviolence.

The New Yorker

They were holding a seminar on upgrading facilities.

The New Yorker

On history day, Sept. 2, the Department of Records and Information Services will hold a seminar, "Trace Your Genealogy," on Ellis Island.

The New York Times

WEDNESDAY: The Great Neck League of Women Voters holds a seminar on "Health Care: Where Are We?

The New York Times

[Daily News] A Staten Island education group and St. John's University will hold a seminar on Tuesday concerning the growing rate of prescription drug abuse on Staten Island.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use specific details about the seminar such as the date, location, speakers or main topic to give the reader more useful information.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a seminar" when referring to a past event; use "held a seminar" instead. Also, ensure the subject clearly states who held the seminar to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a seminar" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of organizing and conducting a seminar. It describes an event that has already taken place. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "held a seminar" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for describing the act of organizing and conducting a seminar event in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media, formal business communications, and scientific contexts. Related phrases include "conducted a seminar", "organized a seminar", and "hosted a seminar", each carrying slight differences in emphasis. Remember to use the correct tense and specify the subject for clarity. The phrase is widely accepted and understood, making it a reliable choice for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held a symposium

Replaces "seminar" with "symposium", suggesting a more formal or academic conference.

held a workshop

Substitutes "seminar" with "workshop", implying a more hands-on, interactive session.

convened a seminar

Replaces "held" with "convened", indicating a more formal gathering.

organized a seminar

Focuses on the act of planning and arranging the seminar.

conducted a seminar

Highlights the act of leading or managing the seminar.

hosted a seminar

Emphasizes the role of providing the venue and support for the seminar.

presented a seminar

Focuses on the act of delivering the content of the seminar.

gave a seminar

Similar to "presented a seminar", emphasizing the delivery of information.

staged a seminar

Implies a more elaborate or theatrical presentation of the seminar.

put on a seminar

An informal alternative to "held a seminar", suggesting effort in organizing the event.

FAQs

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

You can use "held a seminar" to describe a past event where a presentation or discussion was conducted. For example, "The university "held a seminar" on climate change last week."

What are some alternatives to "held a seminar"?

Some alternatives include "conducted a seminar", "organized a seminar", or "hosted a seminar", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it correct to say "hold a seminar" for a past event?

No, for a past event, the correct tense is "held a seminar". "Hold a seminar" is used for future or general statements.

What's the difference between "held a seminar" and "attended a seminar"?

"Held a seminar" means someone organized and presented the seminar, while "attended a seminar" means someone participated in the seminar as an audience member.