hold a talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hold a talk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to someone speaking in front of an audience, or if someone (sometimes a person in a position of authority) is speaking with someone else and trying to influence them. For example: "The manager held a talk with their employees to discuss the company's new policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The New York Academy of Sciences will hold a talk on the notion that bugs can be a healthy and sustainable solution to the world's food problem.

The New York Times

The atheist author Richard Dawkins also said he would hold a talk outside Downing Street on Saturday morning as the Pope visits David Cameron.

Independent

You hold a talk button to record a quick message for the other party, although there's also an option to listen live to an incoming message that a friend is recording.

TechCrunch

Violent protests in which masked activists set off fireworks broke out at the university hours before the controversial Breitbart editor was due to hold a talk there.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So concerned is the PM about Muslim women that he held a "talk session" earlier this year with small circle of Muslim women at No. 10.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bridge the World and Trek America are holding a talk night at 7.30pm on April 4 at Bridge the World's north London office in Camden.

The Guardian - Travel

Horror author James Herbert will make a rare public appearance, holding a talk underground in the Williamson Tunnels.

BBC

The late Reinhard Hellwig, erstwhile Guinness world record holder for the largest mouse trap collection, held a talk at the fiftieth anniversary of the Tinker Museum in Zilina, Slovakia, in 1992.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Facebook's director of News Feed integrity Michael McNally and data scientist Lauren Bose held a talk discussing all the ways it intervenes.

TechCrunch

Last year he held a talking-dog contest, in which dog owners sent in tapes of their dogs barking "pasta".

Forbes

On the fourth day, he will hold a public talk about how to lead a life of happiness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "hold a talk" when you want to emphasize the act of organizing or conducting a formal discussion or presentation.

Common error

Avoid using "hold a talk" to describe casual conversations. Instead, opt for phrases like "have a chat" or "have a conversation" for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold a talk" functions as a verbal phrase. It typically introduces an event where someone presents information or opinions to an audience. Ludwig confirms the acceptability and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold a talk" is grammatically correct and can be used to describe the act of organizing and presenting a formal discussion or presentation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While not extremely common, it appears in various contexts, primarily in news and media sources. When using this phrase, consider the level of formality and ensure it aligns with the intended audience and context. For more informal settings, consider alternatives like "have a chat". Overall, "hold a talk" is a valid and useful phrase for describing structured speaking engagements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a presentation

This alternative is more specific, implying a prepared and formal speech.

deliver a speech

This alternative suggests a more formal and structured address.

conduct a discussion

This alternative implies a more interactive exchange of ideas.

host a seminar

This alternative suggests a more educational and in-depth session.

lead a conversation

This alternative emphasizes guiding and directing the discussion.

present a lecture

This alternative is used in educational context.

organize a symposium

This is a very formal alternative, refers to an event.

have a chat

This is a very informal alternative, means simple conversation.

stage a conference

This alternative is used when planning a conference.

put on a webinar

This alternative is used when doing a seminar through internet.

FAQs

What does "hold a talk" mean?

"Hold a talk" means to organize and present a formal discussion or presentation on a specific topic.

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

You can use alternatives like "give a presentation", "deliver a speech", or "conduct a discussion" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "held a talk"?

Yes, "held a talk" is the past tense form of "hold a talk" and is grammatically correct.

What is the difference between "hold a talk" and "have a talk"?

"Hold a talk" implies organizing and presenting a formal discussion, while "have a talk" suggests a more informal conversation.