hold a consultation

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a consultation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to an event or process which involves asking people for their opinions and discussing a particular topic with a group. For example: The company is going to hold a consultation with members of the local community to discuss plans for a new development.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Having reviewed the situation in the light of the current global economic climate, I have decided to hold a consultation on options for access to the island".

The Guardian

Oriel College said it would hold a consultation over the statue's future but rowed back when many influential donors threatened to withdraw funds if the monument was removed.

The Guardian

Bradley said the government would hold a consultation over the exact threshold for the size of business that the new duty of disclosure would affect.

The Guardian

Mr Clarke's promise to hold a consultation on a new law that would create a presumption in favour of deporting foreign criminals is a good example.

The Economist

Ofcom will hold a consultation on the renewal process and will publish its assessment of how much the licence holders should pay in the summer of 2013.

The Guardian

But the government is to hold a consultation on whether it should be made public, a step the prime minister said he would only take if it would not harm the interests of British businesses.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The Government is holding a consultation on the plan, which is likely to be widely opposed.

Independent

The party's federal policy committee has held a consultation on the issue but will not be ready to form a full policy for another six months.

The Guardian

"We held a consultation meeting with our major shareholders in December 2013 at which we outlined our approach to our remuneration policy.

The Guardian - Business

The Department of Health held a consultation on the issue last year and Anna Soubry, the public health minister, was at that point understood to be in favour of legislation.

The Guardian

The introduction of the scheme comes while Transport for London (TfL) is holding a consultation on a series of measures that would affect Uber.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold a consultation", be specific about the topic and who will be consulted to ensure clarity and relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a consultation" when a simple discussion or meeting would suffice; reserve it for situations requiring formal feedback and input from stakeholders.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a consultation" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the act of arranging and conducting a formal meeting or process to gather opinions and advice. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold a consultation" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of arranging and conducting a formal process of seeking input on a specific topic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts. The phrase suggests a structured approach to decision-making and is generally considered neutral to professional in tone. When using this phrase, it is important to be specific about the topic and intended participants to ensure clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gather feedback

This emphasizes the collection of opinions or reactions.

conduct a discussion

This alternative focuses on the act of discussing, rather than the formal gathering of opinions.

begin a discussion

Similar to initiate a dialogue, but less formal.

initiate a dialogue

This emphasizes the beginning of a conversation or exchange of ideas.

convene a panel

This option suggests gathering a group of experts to discuss a specific issue.

undertake deliberations

This phrase is more formal and suggests a more serious and thorough consideration of the issues.

launch a forum

Implies creating a platform for open discussion and exchange of ideas.

organize a symposium

This alternative implies a more academic or specialized meeting.

arrange a conference

This suggests a larger and more formal event than a simple consultation.

carry out an assessment

This focuses on evaluating something, which may or may not involve asking for opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "hold a consultation" in a sentence?

You can use "hold a consultation" to indicate a formal process of seeking advice or opinions, as in: "The government plans to "hold a consultation" on the proposed tax reforms".

What are some alternatives to saying "hold a consultation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases such as "gather feedback", "conduct a discussion", or "initiate a dialogue".

Is there a difference between "hold a consultation" and "conduct a consultation"?

While both phrases are very similar, "hold a consultation" often implies arranging and hosting the event, whereas "conduct a consultation" focuses more on the process of carrying it out.

When is it appropriate to "hold a consultation"?

It is appropriate to ""hold a consultation"" when seeking formal input from stakeholders, experts, or the public on a significant decision, policy, or project.