holding a demonstration

USAGE SUMMARY

"holding a demonstration" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to organize or lead a public gathering or protest in order to express a particular viewpoint or demand. You can use it when describing an event or situation involving a public demonstration. Example: The students were holding a demonstration outside the university to protest against the proposed tuition fee increase.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It shows pro-Kurdish demonstrators clashing with Turkish nationalists in Frankfurt who were holding a demonstration against the PKK Kurdistan Workers Partyy), a group currently embroiled in a conflict with the Turkish state.

Vice

Scarcely a month goes by without some French profession or other holding a demonstration, or manif.

The Economist

Corporate Justice, a coalition that is calling on the Swiss federal government to create ethical business laws, is holding a demonstration on Wednesday afternoon.

The New York Times

Russian police temporarily detained six activists protesting on Friday against the incarceration of members of the punk rock band Pussy Riot and charged them with holding a demonstration of more than one person without a permit.

The New York Times

Bespectacled traders, complaining about new censorship laws, shouted, "This is not freedom of expression," and talked of holding a demonstration like one last month, when journalists protested against new restrictions.But would the booksellers dare?

The Economist

Mr Hun Sen says Mr Rainsy is responsible for the deaths by holding a demonstration and has called for his arrest.Those who criticise Mr Hun Sen do so at their peril.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

A year ago, City College San Francisco (CCSF) students held a demonstration calling for the resignation of Special Trustee Robert Agrella and the reversal of a new tuition policy.

Huffington Post

She was speaking after demonstrators forced their way into the army headquarters in Bangkok and held a demonstration there.

BBC

"Today we will hold a demonstration.

The New York Times

They should hold a demonstration to thank us".

The Guardian - Sport

Occupy Wall Street plans to hold a demonstration on Saturday at the lot.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on events, use "holding a demonstration" to clearly indicate an organized public gathering expressing a specific viewpoint. Provide context on the cause or issue being protested to give readers a comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Be specific about the purpose and scale of the demonstration. Avoid vague statements like "people holding a demonstration" without clarifying the core issue and the number of participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding a demonstration" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act of organizing or participating in a public expression of opinion. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and numerous examples showcase its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holding a demonstration" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively conveys the act of organizing or participating in a public expression of opinion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a variety of contexts, especially in news and media reporting. While alternatives like "staging a protest" or "organizing a rally" exist, "holding a demonstration" remains a clear and neutral way to describe such events. It's crucial to provide specific details about the cause and scale of the demonstration to avoid vague or misleading statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staging a protest

Replaces "demonstration" with "protest" and "holding" with "staging", maintaining the same meaning of organizing a public expression of disapproval.

organizing a rally

Substitutes "demonstration" with "rally" and "holding" with "organizing", implying a more structured and larger gathering.

conducting a protest

Replaces "holding" with "conducting", offering a more formal tone while retaining the meaning of carrying out a public expression of dissent.

leading a demonstration

Focuses on the aspect of being in charge of the demonstration, rather than just participating.

participating in a demonstration

Highlights the act of taking part in an existing demonstration.

mounting a campaign

Implies a broader effort that might include demonstrations as part of a larger strategy.

staging a walkout

Refers specifically to a type of demonstration where people leave a place to protest.

organizing a sit-in

Describes a demonstration where people occupy a space and refuse to leave.

planning a march

Specifies a demonstration involving a procession or organized walk.

undertaking a public expression of dissent

A more formal and verbose alternative emphasizing the act of publicly disagreeing.

FAQs

How can I use "holding a demonstration" in a sentence?

You can use "holding a demonstration" to describe an organized public gathering. For example, "The activists are "holding a demonstration" to protest the new environmental regulations".

What's a good alternative to "holding a demonstration"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "staging a protest", "organizing a rally", or "conducting a protest".

Is "holding a demonstration" formal or informal?

"Holding a demonstration" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, such as news reports or casual discussions.

What is the difference between "holding a demonstration" and "participating in a demonstration"?

"Holding a demonstration" implies organizing or leading the event, while "participating in a demonstration" simply means taking part in an already organized event.