hold a session

USAGE SUMMARY

It is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a meeting or a class. For example: Our club will be holding a session next week to discuss our upcoming event.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

(The firm is still planning to hold a session for summer intern recruits in January).

The New York Times

The camp plans to hold a session next July for children of firefighters killed on Sept. 11.

The New York Times

This was not among the recommendations on Tuesday, but board members agreed they would hold a session soon on safety for "lap children".

The New York Times

Congresswoman Cathy McManus Rogers, chair of the House Republican conference, said Reid was acting irresponsibly by refusing to hold a session of the Senate.

The Guardian

"Fifteen years ago, a meeting on cell biology would hold a session on histones or DNA methylation — and no one would be at that session," Allis told me.

The New Yorker

Under the association's rules, all seven heads of state must be present to hold a session, so the start of the conference was delayed until Saturday morning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Parliament held a session to ratify the results.

The New York Times

Later, he held a session with Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Frank-Walter Steinmeier

The New York Times

The Democrats held a session lasting less than four minutes before leaving the chamber.

The New York Times

Earlier this year, the American Economic Association for the first time held a session on using novels to teach.

The New York Times - Books

"We were holding a session in the National Security Council conference room in the White House basement," the analyst said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hold a session", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose and expected outcomes of the session. Be specific about the topic and intended audience.

Common error

While "hold a session" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal documents. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "convene a meeting" or "conduct a seminar" for a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a session" functions as a verb phrase, where 'hold' is the main verb and 'a session' is the direct object. It describes the action of organizing and conducting a meeting, class, or discussion. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hold a session" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of organizing and conducting a meeting, class, or discussion. Ludwig AI's analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, indicates that this phrase is most frequently used in news and media, followed by academia and formal business contexts. While "hold a session" is generally acceptable, writers should consider the formality of their audience and consider alternatives like "conduct a meeting" or "convene a gathering" for a more polished tone. The authoritative sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, reinforcing its widespread use and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct a meeting

This alternative replaces "hold a session" with more formal terms like "conduct" and "meeting", emphasizing a structured gathering.

organize a conference

This alternative implies a larger and more formal event than a simple session.

convene a gathering

This alternative uses more formal vocabulary, suggesting a planned and purposeful assembly.

arrange a discussion

This focuses on the interactive aspect of the session, highlighting the exchange of ideas.

schedule a seminar

This alternative specifies the session as a seminar, implying an educational format.

host a workshop

This suggests a more hands-on and interactive session, focused on skill-building.

put on a presentation

This emphasizes the delivery of information by a speaker or presenter.

preside over a hearing

This suggests a formal, often legal or investigative, session.

undertake a deliberation

This implies a careful and thorough discussion, often leading to a decision.

stage an assembly

This suggests gathering a large group of people for a common purpose, often for speeches or performances.

FAQs

What does "hold a session" mean?

"Hold a session" means to organize and conduct a meeting, class, or discussion on a particular topic.

How to use "hold a session" in a sentence?

You can use "hold a session" in sentences like: "The committee will "hold a session" to discuss the new policy" or "The university will "hold a session" for new students".

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

You can use alternatives like "conduct a meeting", "organize a conference", or "arrange a discussion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "held a session"?

Yes, "held a session" is the past tense of "hold a session" and is grammatically correct. For example: "The team "held a session" yesterday to brainstorm new ideas".