put in an appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

'put in an appearance' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something making an appearance or visit, usually brief or unexpected, usually for a particular purpose. For example, "She put in an appearance at the meeting before leaving."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But serendipity also put in an appearance.

The Guardian

Mary did not put in an appearance all week.

The New Yorker

Perhaps Mr Orban should put in an appearance.

The Economist

Mr. Frazer and Mr. Kaiser put in an appearance.

The New Yorker

The old Apache warrior was given special dispensation to put in an appearance.

The Economist

They will probably give mini-concerts at schools and put in an appearance at educational functions.

The Economist

Jay-Z even put in an appearance, performing "Crazy in Love" with his wife Beyoncé.

Independent

Why put in an appearance when you could just show up?

The New York Times

The only surprise is that Morticia Addams doesn't put in an appearance.

Independent

It's a good idea to put in an appearance there anyway".

The New Yorker

And we're still waiting for the Starman to put in an appearance.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put in an appearance" when you want to convey that someone attended an event or meeting, often briefly or perhaps out of obligation, rather than enthusiastic participation.

Common error

Don't use "put in an appearance" to describe keynote speakers at important industry events. This phrase indicates a short or reluctant visit and doesn't suit situations where attendance is central and expected. It's more suitable for describing someone who briefly visits a party out of obligation, not someone who is the main attraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put in an appearance" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it describes the act of someone attending an event, often briefly or formally, without necessarily implying full participation or engagement. It suggests fulfilling an obligation or making a perfunctory visit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put in an appearance" is a common idiomatic expression used to describe a brief or formal attendance at an event, often implying a sense of obligation rather than enthusiastic participation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. While similar to phrases like "make an appearance" or "show up", "put in an appearance" carries a specific connotation of limited engagement. When writing, remember that it's best used to describe situations where someone attends an event briefly or out of duty, not as a central or anticipated participant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an appearance

This alternative is more direct, simply stating that someone showed up.

put in a showing

This alternative means to be present or to participate.

show up

This is a less formal and more general way of saying someone attended.

attend briefly

This specifies that the attendance was not for a long duration.

make a cameo

This suggests a very short and often unexpected appearance.

drop by

This implies a casual and quick visit.

pay a visit

This suggests a more deliberate and formal appearance.

be present

This is a general way of stating that someone was there.

grace with one's presence

This is a more ceremonious and often ironic way of saying someone attended.

surface briefly

This alternative emphasizes a short and often unexpected appearance.

FAQs

How can I use "put in an appearance" in a sentence?

Use "put in an appearance" to describe someone briefly or formally attending an event. For example, "The CEO "put in an appearance" at the conference before heading to another meeting."

What is a less formal way to say "put in an appearance"?

A less formal alternative to "put in an appearance" is "show up". For example, instead of saying "He had to put in an appearance", you could say "He had to show up".

What does it mean to say someone "put in an appearance"?

Saying someone "put in an appearance" means they attended an event, often briefly, possibly out of obligation. It implies a less committed form of attendance than full participation.

How does "put in an appearance" differ from "attend"?

"Attend" generally means to be present at an event. "Put in an appearance" suggests a brief or perfunctory attendance, implying the person may not be fully engaged or present for the entire duration. It's a more nuanced way of saying someone was there, perhaps reluctantly.