held a speech

USAGE SUMMARY

'held a speech' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone delivering an address or a presentation in front of an audience. For example: The mayor held a speech to a group of students about the importance of civic engagement.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I have held a Christmas lunch, I have held a speech and I feel the warmth and the support of everybody in Carrington.

Independent

Hartenstein issued a bottle of beer to each member of the crew and held a speech honouring the achievements of everyone on board, and telling them that he would wear the decoration in their name.

Wikipedia

The commission held a meeting on December 10 at 9 am in the Saint George's School and Gërmenji held a speech to the gathered men and after the meeting led the commission to the prefecture.

Wikipedia

Femen were then safely escorted away by the police before Serge Ayoub held a speech accusing them of being paid by the government and alleging that the tit flashing was all a conspiracy to disturb nationalist protests.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The deputy leader of the Free Democrats worries "whether Barack Obama was advised correctly in his choice of the Siegessäule as the site to hold a speech on his vision for a more cooperative world".

The New York Times

She also sent him a grid of photographs in which she held up handwritten speech bubbles.

The New Yorker

Late in the afternoon, a lectern was placed on the soggy ground and the king opened the leather binder that held a lengthy speech.

The New York Times

Uli Hoeness held a touching speech in the dressing room, thanked the man for his valiant but sadly futile efforts, then put him on the next plane back to California.

The Guardian - Sport

It seems unfortunate that he even needs to hold a "special" speech to discuss race at all.

The New York Times

But if someone tried to do this in America, Rick Santorum would hold a stump speech next to it and everyone's fun would be ruined. .

Vice

Other impassioned Garland residents argued that AFDI had every right to hold a free speech event — and claimed the January conference held by Muslim had been just as incendiary.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "held a speech" to describe a formal or significant speaking event where someone delivers a prepared address.

Common error

Avoid using "held a speech" in casual conversations or everyday scenarios. Opt for simpler phrases like "talked" or "spoke" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a speech" functions as a verb phrase, where "held" is the past tense of the verb "hold" and "a speech" is the direct object. It describes the action of someone delivering a formal or prepared address. Ludwig AI identifies this usage as correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held a speech" is a grammatically correct way to describe the action of someone delivering a prepared address. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. Although relatively rare, it finds appropriate use in contexts like news reports and historical accounts. While it is less suitable for casual conversations, it effectively conveys a structured and deliberate communication event. Related phrases like "delivered an address" or "gave a presentation" can provide alternative wording depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delivered an address

Focuses on the act of presenting a formal speech.

gave a presentation

Highlights the act of presenting information, often with visual aids.

addressed the audience

Emphasizes speaking directly to a group.

made a statement

Refers to conveying information or an opinion publicly.

presented a lecture

Indicates a more formal and educational speaking engagement.

offered remarks

Suggests a brief and often informal speech.

pronounced an oration

Implies a formal and eloquent speech.

recited a discourse

Highlights the act of formally delivering a prepared speech.

conducted a talk

Highlights the act of speaking.

issued a communique

Emphasizes the act of making a public statement.

FAQs

What does "held a speech" mean?

The phrase "held a speech" means to deliver a formal address or presentation, typically at an event or gathering.

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

You might say, "The president "held a speech" to announce the new policy".

What are some alternatives to "held a speech"?

Alternatives include "delivered an address", "gave a presentation", or "addressed the audience".

Is "held a speech" formal or informal?

"Held a speech" is generally considered a relatively formal way to describe the act of giving a speech. More informal options include "gave a talk" or "spoke".