hold a reception

USAGE SUMMARY

'hold a reception' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are describing an event that includes welcoming guests, typically with food and drinks. For example, "The president is planning to hold a reception in the evening to celebrate the success of his new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

In the evening, Trump will hold a reception for Senate lawmakers and their spouses.

The Washington Post

They were even about to hold a reception for the new resident district commissioner.

The Guardian

The museum will also hold a reception for prospective docents and other volunteers at 10 a.m.

The New York Times

Yale will hold a reception and a dinner in Mr. Kramer's honor today.

The New York Times

Following the program, Vest will hold a reception for graduates and their guests in or near McDermott Court.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art will hold a reception for "Water Works" on Friday at 7 30 p.m., at Annsville Preserve Park.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Late in the summer, President Obama held a reception in her honor at the White House.

The New Yorker

The publisher and editor held a reception in the firm's bookstore.

The New Yorker

The President was holding a reception and shaking hands with the public.

The New Yorker

The Bauer family held a reception in Berlin to mark the happy event.

The Guardian - Books

The newlyweds held a reception at the same restaurant where they got engaged.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning an event, use "hold a reception" to clearly state the intention of hosting guests with refreshments. For example, "The company will "hold a reception" to celebrate its anniversary."

Common error

Avoid using "hold a reception" for events that don't involve a formal welcoming of guests with food and drinks. For example, it's incorrect to say "hold a meeting a reception", as meetings serve a different purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a reception" functions as a verb phrase, where "hold" acts as the main verb indicating the action of hosting or organizing a reception. Ludwig examples show this phrase used to describe planned events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold a reception" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the action of hosting a formal gathering. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. The phrase is frequently used in news and media, academia, and formal business contexts. Alternatives include "host a reception" and "organize a reception". When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with events that involve welcoming guests with food and drinks. Avoid using it for events like meetings, which serve a different purpose. The phrase is versatile, suitable for describing university events, company celebrations, or diplomatic gatherings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

host a reception

Uses "host" instead of "hold", implying a welcoming role.

organize a reception

Replaces "hold" with "organize", focusing on the planning aspect.

give a reception

Substitutes "hold" with "give", a slightly more formal alternative.

throw a reception

Uses "throw" for a more informal tone, suggesting a celebratory event.

conduct a reception

Replaces "hold" with "conduct", emphasizing the management of the event.

stage a reception

Uses "stage", implying a carefully planned and presented event.

put on a reception

Similar to "stage", but slightly more colloquial.

have a reception

A more general way to describe the occurrence of a reception.

sponsor a reception

Focuses on the act of providing resources for the reception.

oversee a reception

Emphasis on the supervision and management of the reception.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold a reception" to describe the act of hosting a formal gathering. For example, "The university will "hold a reception" for the visiting professor."

What are some alternatives to "hold a reception"?

Alternatives include "host a reception", "organize a reception", or "give a reception", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "hold a reception" or "have a reception"?

"Hold a reception" is generally considered slightly more formal than "have a reception", but both are acceptable in most contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "hold a reception"?

It's appropriate to use "hold a reception" when referring to a planned event where guests are formally welcomed and typically offered refreshments or entertainment.