hold a lecture

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold a lecture" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a teacher presenting information to a group of students. For example, "The professor will be holding a lecture on quantum physics later today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I didn't have the sort of brain trained to hold a lecture, you know?

The Guardian

In conjunction with the exhibition, the museum will hold a lecture by Hal Buell, photographic editor at The Associated Press from 1968 to 1991, at 7 30 p.m. on March 29.

The New York Times

"Whenever you hold a lecture, you worry about participation or attentiveness, but everyone was super enthusiastic," he says.

Vice

Hernan Bas will hold a lecture at the Detroit Institute of Arts Marvinn and Betty Danto Lecture Hall, 5200 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, at 7 p.m., following a 6 p.m. reception in the museum's Kresge Court.

Huffington Post

In 2009 the British Conservative Party invited party leader Siv Jensen to hold a lecture in the House of Commons, which was seen as a further recognition of the party internationally, with the approach by the Danish Venstre the previous month.

Wikipedia

One group member subsequently starts to hold a lecture; the tutor still does not intervene.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Last year, the university held a lecture about the Dalai Lama sponsored by the Confucius Institute, which is largely funded by the Chinese government.

The New York Times

Wine in Ancient Rome On Tuesday at 8 p.m. Archaeology magazine is holding a lecture about the history of wine in ancient Rome at the National Arts Club, 15 Gramercy Park South.

The New York Times - Food

She held a lecture on marketing and branding of a film.

Wikipedia

Last night Jon Rafman held a lecture to inaugurate the second season of Palais de Tokyo's "Imagine the Imaginary" exhibition.

Vice

His first stop was in Paris where, at the invitation of the Chinese ambassador, he held a lecture seminar at the PRC embassy.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold a lecture", ensure the context clearly indicates that someone is presenting information to an audience, typically in an academic or formal setting.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a lecture" when the context implies a more informal presentation or discussion. Consider alternatives like "give a talk" or "lead a discussion" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a lecture" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of conducting or presenting a lecture. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and suitable for describing a formal presentation of information. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold a lecture" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to describe the act of presenting a formal talk. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic settings. While not extremely common, its usage is well-supported by authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. Alternatives such as "give a lecture" or "present a lecture" can be used to add variety to your writing. Remember to use this phrase when referring to a structured presentation of information in a formal setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a lecture

Uses a different verb, 'give', to express the act of presenting a lecture.

present a lecture

Replaces 'hold' with 'present', emphasizing the act of delivering the lecture content.

deliver a lecture

Substitutes 'hold' with 'deliver', highlighting the act of conveying information to an audience.

conduct a lecture

Replaces 'hold' with 'conduct', suggesting a more formal or organized presentation.

host a lecture

Focuses on the act of organizing and facilitating a lecture event.

organize a lecture

Emphasizes the planning and arrangement aspects of a lecture.

lead a lecture

Highlights the act of guiding or directing the lecture content.

run a lecture

Uses 'run' as a more casual alternative to 'hold', implying management of the lecture.

perform a lecture

Emphasizes the performative aspect of presenting a lecture.

chair a lecture

Focuses on the role of presiding over and managing the lecture session.

FAQs

What does "hold a lecture" mean?

The phrase "hold a lecture" means to conduct or present a formal talk on a particular subject, typically in an educational or professional setting.

What can I say instead of "hold a lecture"?

You can use alternatives like "give a lecture", "present a lecture", or "deliver a lecture" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "held a lecture"?

Yes, "held a lecture" is the past tense of "hold a lecture" and is grammatically correct. It indicates that a lecture was conducted or presented at some point in the past.

What's the difference between "hold a lecture" and "attend a lecture"?

"Hold a lecture" refers to the act of presenting the lecture, while "attend a lecture" refers to the act of being present as an audience member to hear the lecture.