put on a comedy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on a comedy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of staging or presenting a comedic performance, such as a play, show, or film. Example: "The theater will put on a comedy this weekend that promises to have the audience in stitches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Now just to put on a comedy show and drive home for five hours.

The Guardian

'Put on a comedy make-up.

Los Angeles Times

Now everything is digital, our music is very portable, but back then when you had vinyl I would invite my friends over and we would just put on a comedy album.

Huffington Post

On February 20, at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles, Will Ferrell and his friends, like Zach Galifianakis and Demetri Martin, will put on a comedy extravaganza with skits and music based on their successful "Funny or Die" Tour.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The list starts with Mr. Frayn, who wrote the most dexterously realized comedy ever about putting on a comedy, and the director, Jeremy Sams, who elucidates the method (and the Method) in an entire cast of characters' voyage into madness.

The New York Times

We work with iconic brands such as Stella Artois, IKEA, Boots, Google, PG Tips and HTC amongst many more and pride ourselves on being able to make anything for anyone from delivering Coca-Cola's global Olympics campaign to putting on a comedy gala for Amnesty International's 50th anniversary featuring the biggest and best comedians in the world.

The Guardian

+ In San Fransisco, a group female comedians are putting on a comedy show with performances by Irene Tu, Priyanka Wali, and Sara DeForest among others.

Vice

"There are three major kinds of comedy venue in LA: bars, black boxes & random spaces where you wouldn't expect someone to even fathom putting on a comedy show.

Huffington Post

It's hard to put on a good comedy because you need a lot of hands on deck.

The New York Times

Jimmy Kimmel, late night television host, recently put on a little comedy sketch in which a kid suggests that we would be better off economically if we "Kill everyone in China".

Huffington Post

In 1992, Nazareth fasted for 40 days, at which time, he says God told him to rent a stadium to put on a Christian comedy concert and start his production company: Comedy Crusades.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put on a comedy", ensure the context clarifies whether you're referring to staging a live performance, filming a comedic production, or simply watching a comedy show. This helps prevent ambiguity and ensures your audience understands the intended meaning.

Common error

While "put on a comedy" is acceptable, it can sound informal. In professional or academic writing, consider stronger verbs like "stage", "produce", or "present" to enhance the text's authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on a comedy" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of staging or presenting a comedic performance. As per Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English. Examples in Ludwig also show that this phrase usually appears in News & Media sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "put on a comedy" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe the act of staging or presenting a comedic performance. While Ludwig confirms its usability, its frequency is relatively uncommon and it is predominantly found in News & Media contexts. When writing or speaking, it's advisable to use this phrase in contexts where informality is acceptable, and to consider alternatives like "stage a comedy" or "produce a comedy" for more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stage a comedy show

Replaces "put on" with "stage", emphasizing the act of presenting a show.

perform a comedy routine

Substitutes "put on a comedy" with "perform a comedy routine", focusing on the execution of a comedic act.

present a comedic play

Replaces "put on a comedy" with "present a comedic play", specifying the type of performance as a play.

produce a funny show

Changes "put on" to "produce", highlighting the creation and organization of a funny show.

host a comedy night

Replaces "put on a comedy" with "host a comedy night", focusing on organizing and presenting a night of comedy.

organize a humorous performance

Replaces "put on a comedy" with "organize a humorous performance", emphasizing the arrangement and presentation of a comedic performance.

create a comedy spectacle

Substitutes "put on" with "create", highlighting the inventive aspect of putting a large-scale comedy production.

arrange a comedic event

Replaces "put on" with "arrange", focusing on planning and organizing a comedic event.

deliver a comedy act

Substitutes "put on" with "deliver", highlighting the performance and presentation of a comedy show.

showcase a comedic performance

Replaces "put on" with "showcase", which emphasizes the act of displaying or presenting a comedic performance.

FAQs

What does "put on a comedy" mean?

The phrase "put on a comedy" refers to the act of staging, performing, or presenting a comedic performance, such as a play, show, or film. It implies organizing and executing the production of a comedy for an audience.

What can I say instead of "put on a comedy"?

You can use alternatives like "stage a comedy show", "perform a comedy routine", or "present a comedic play" depending on the specific context.

Is "put on a comedy" grammatically correct?

Yes, "put on a comedy" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows the standard structure of a verb phrase with an article and a noun.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "put on a comedy"?

The phrase "put on a comedy" is appropriate in a variety of contexts, including casual conversations, news reports, and entertainment reviews. However, in formal writing, more precise alternatives such as "stage" or "produce" might be preferred.