present an award

USAGE SUMMARY

"present an award" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to formally give or hand over an award to someone. You can use it anytime you are talking about giving a reward or recognition to someone. Here is an example: "At the ceremony, the principal will present an award to the top performing student."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

There was a mishap at the ceremony when the presenters of The Talk were on stage to present an award and realised they had the wrong envelope.

BBC

(Kelly had returned to present an award).

The New Yorker

And she was only there to present an award.

The Guardian - Music

They ask me every year to present an award, but that's not right.

The New York Times - Magazine

It wouldn't have mattered, but I had to present an award.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not only that, Simm then had to take to the stage to present an award himself.

The Guardian

But Jolie herself was on hand to present an award - and so was her leg.

The Guardian - Film

He usually only goes to fashion parties when he has to receive or present an award.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

(Harvey Fierstein, it should be noted, is not scheduled to perform, but will present an award).

The New York Times

When the MTV reality show star emerged to present an award she was roundly booed.

The Guardian

But all is forgiven, as Travolta has been invited back to present an award at this year's ceremony.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about an awards ceremony, use "present an award" to clearly indicate the act of giving the award to the recipient. Be specific about who is presenting and who is receiving for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "presentation of an award" when you mean "present an award". The former refers to the act of showing or displaying something, while the latter refers to the act of giving the award.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "present an award" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the action of formally giving an award to someone. As Ludwig AI states, it's a common way to describe the act of bestowing recognition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "present an award" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of formally giving an award. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to express this action. The phrase is most frequently found in "News & Media", maintaining a neutral to professional tone depending on the setting. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who is presenting and receiving the award, and avoid confusion with similar terms like "presentation of an award". Alternatives such as "give out an award" or "bestow an award" can be used for slight variations in tone or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give out an award

Replaces "present" with "give out", which implies a more casual distribution of the award.

present with an award

Changes the structure to emphasize the recipient being "presented with" the award.

bestow an award

Uses "bestow" to suggest a more formal and honorable granting of the award.

hand out an award

Similar to "give out an award", implying a straightforward act of giving.

confer an award upon

Uses "confer" to denote a formal and official act of giving an award, often used in prestigious settings.

award a prize

Substitutes "award" with "prize", focusing on the reward aspect.

grant an honor

Emphasizes the honor being given, instead of the physical award.

offer an accolade

Replaces "award" with "accolade", highlighting praise and recognition.

administer an award

Focuses on the procedural aspect of giving the award.

distribute an award

Implies a more widespread or routine giving of awards.

FAQs

What does it mean to "present an award"?

To "present an award" means to formally give or hand over an award to someone, often during a ceremony or event as a form of recognition.

What can I say instead of "present an award"?

You can use alternatives like "give out an award", "bestow an award", or "hand out an award" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "presentation of the award" instead of "present an award"?

While "presentation of the award" refers to the act of showing or displaying the award, "present an award" refers to the act of formally giving it to someone. Use "present an award" when describing the action of giving the award.

Who typically "presents an award"?

Awards are typically presented by notable figures, experts in the field, or representatives of the organization giving the award. They may be celebrities, industry leaders, or individuals with a special connection to the award or recipient.