held a symposium

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held a symposium" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of organizing and conducting a formal meeting or conference for discussion on a particular topic. Example: "The university held a symposium on climate change, bringing together experts from various fields to share their insights."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Earlier this year, New York University held a symposium on reforming law school.

The New York Times

In July, the Kansas City Fed held a symposium to discuss concerns about a bubble.

The New York Times

In May, a newly formed group led by Okinawan university professors held a symposium on independence that drew 250 people.

The New York Times

The Vatican has just held a symposium on the roots of Christian anti-Semitism, and the Polish Council for Christians and Jews is doing good work.

The Economist

The government of President Yoweri Museveni, a former rebel leader who helped drive out Mr. Amin, held a symposium recently to mark the 23rd anniversary of his ouster.

The New York Times

Soon after, the committee held a symposium on hypothermia, where Dr. Mayer continued to advocate for the therapy, and the ambulance protocol developed from there.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

This year, FringeNYC will hold a symposium to discuss issues concerning choreographers and dance companies.

The New York Times

In June, the year-old High Bridge Coalition will hold a symposium on reopening the bridge.

The New York Times

To mark the eightieth anniversary of the death, Rupp will hold a symposium in Harding's home town this month.

The New Yorker

Now, Columbia University is holding a symposium on how the online world has transformed privacy, national security and social interactions.

The New York Times

The Concordance Institute is holding a symposium to talk about it, and the symposium — not genocide — occupies everyone's working life for months on end.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use stronger verbs with more impact for other types of meetings (e.g. 'convened a workshop' or 'hosted a panel discussion')

Common error

While "held a symposium" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual communication. Choose simpler alternatives like "organized a meeting" or "had a discussion" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a symposium" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of organizing and conducting a formal meeting. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science & Research

8%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a symposium" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe the act of organizing and conducting a formal discussion or conference. As Ludwig confirms, it is most appropriate in professional, academic, and news-related contexts. While alternatives like "conducted a symposium" or "organized a symposium" exist, they maintain a similar level of formality. When deciding to use this phrase, consider whether the context aligns with its inherent formal tone. Avoid using it in casual conversation where simpler phrasing might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducted a symposium

Replaces the verb "held" with "conducted", emphasizing the action of managing and leading the symposium.

organized a symposium

Substitutes "held" with "organized", highlighting the planning and preparation aspects of the event.

hosted a symposium

Uses "hosted" instead of "held", emphasizing the role of providing the venue and facilitating the event.

convened a symposium

Replaces "held" with "convened", suggesting a more formal and official gathering.

staged a symposium

Uses "staged" in place of "held", focusing on the act of presenting or putting on the symposium.

presented a symposium

Emphasizes the act of offering or showcasing the symposium's content.

put on a symposium

An informal alternative to "held a symposium", suggesting the effort and work involved.

arranged a symposium

Focuses on the preparatory steps taken to ensure the symposium occurs smoothly.

organized a conference

Substitutes "symposium" with "conference", broadening the type of event, while keeping a similar formal tone.

facilitated a discussion

Replaces "symposium" with a description of its primary activity; a formal discussion.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "held a symposium"?

The phrase "held a symposium" means to organize and conduct a formal meeting or conference where experts discuss a particular subject.

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

You can use alternatives such as "conducted a symposium", "organized a symposium", or "hosted a symposium" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "held a symposium"?

It is appropriate to use "held a symposium" in formal contexts such as academic papers, news articles, and business reports where you want to convey the organization of an in-depth discussion on a specific topic.

How does "held a symposium" differ from "organized a workshop"?

While both phrases refer to organizing an event, "held a symposium" implies a more formal and academic discussion, whereas "organized a workshop" suggests a more hands-on, practical learning environment.