hold a dinner

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a dinner" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in any context where you are referring to someone hosting a dinner. For example, "Next week, my parents are holding a dinner in our backyard to celebrate their anniversary."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Socrates, I'm sure, could really hold a dinner table.

The New York Times - Books

WEDNESDAY -- The Horticultural Society of New York will hold a dinner and flower show at the New York Design Center, 200 Lexington Avenue (33d Street).

The New York Times - Style

How do you transform a dated 400-square-foot studio into a modern home with room to hold a dinner party and welcome an occasional overnight guest?

The New York Times

OCT. 5 -- The Municipal Art Society will hold a dinner and dance in Grand Central Terminal to celebrate the completion of its restoration.

The New York Times - Style

WEDNESDAY -- The UJA-Federation of New York will hold a dinner and dance at the Waldorf-Astoria, and will honor Robert C. Wright, the president of NBC.

The New York Times - Style

Agliotti allegedly gave Selebi money to hold a dinner celebrating his election to the largely symbolic post of Interpol president in 2004.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Free Burma Coalition held a dinner.

The Economist

He held a dinner party to solve the problem.

The New Yorker

I held a dinner party while my housemate was away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We heard you held a dinner for friends and family on your last night in Vancouver.

The New York Times - Sports

Saturday evening, they held a dinner and "roast" in the Big Red Barn.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold a dinner", consider the context to ensure it aligns with the formality of the event. For a casual setting, "host a dinner party" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a dinner" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or official reports. Opt for alternatives like "convene a dinner" or "organize a dinner" to convey a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a dinner" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of organizing, hosting, or conducting a dinner event. Ludwig confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold a dinner" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of hosting or organizing a dinner event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted and used across various contexts, from news reports to academic settings. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "convene a dinner" might be preferable in professional or academic writing. When choosing to use "hold a dinner", consider your audience and the desired level of formality to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

host a dinner

Replaces "hold" with "host", emphasizing the act of welcoming and entertaining guests.

organize a dinner

Substitutes "hold" with "organize", highlighting the planning and arrangement aspects of the event.

arrange a dinner

Similar to "organize", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on making arrangements.

throw a dinner party

Uses a more informal and festive tone, suggesting a casual gathering.

give a dinner

Offers a slightly more formal tone than "hold a dinner".

put on a dinner

Emphasizes the effort and preparation involved in hosting a dinner.

convene a dinner

Suggests a more formal or official gathering for a specific purpose.

sponsor a dinner

Indicates providing financial or other support for the dinner event.

conduct a dinner

Implies overseeing or managing the dinner event.

preside over a dinner

Highlights the role of leading or overseeing the dinner event, often in a formal setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold a dinner" to describe the act of hosting a formal or informal dinner event. For example, "The company will hold a dinner to celebrate its anniversary."

What are some alternatives to "hold a dinner"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "host a dinner", "organize a dinner", or "give a dinner".

Is "hold a dinner" formal or informal?

"Hold a dinner" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives exist for official occasions.

What's the difference between "hold a dinner" and "host a dinner"?

While similar, "host a dinner" emphasizes the welcoming and entertaining aspects of the event, while "hold a dinner" focuses on the act of organizing and conducting the meal.