put on a play

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on a play" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to the act of performing a play. For example: "The theatre group decided to put on a play for their next show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Virtually every one of them will put on a play, so it's a fairly large market," Russell added.

Los Angeles Times

"You want to put on a play?

The New York Times

"To put on a play, you need a whole community of people," Ms. Miles said.

The New York Times

In 1932 she persuaded the Weimar National theatre to put on a play written by him.

The Guardian - Books

"But goodness me, you wouldn't believe how much it costs to put on a play.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

She used a self-service laundry to put on a play in development by Marsha Norman.

The New York Times

"If you don't have the money to put on a play, put on something," he said.

The New York Times

NUSSBAUM -- Interesting year to put on a play about greed and money.

The New York Times

At Brown, the Political Theory Project even put on a play by the capitalist heroine Ayn Rand.

The New York Times

They wanted you to create or make something, to put on a play, to sing a song.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now, the standards say a student has to be able to put on a play or play a musical instrument.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context when choosing between "put on a play" and alternatives like "stage a play" or "produce a play". "Put on a play" is generally more informal.

Common error

Avoid using "put on" without "a play" if you mean something else entirely, like "put on a shirt". The phrase needs the object "a play" to retain its theatrical meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on a play" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a subject to describe the act of organizing and performing a theatrical production. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage and correct grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put on a play" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of producing and performing a theatrical production. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread use. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to consider context and choose more formal alternatives like "stage a play" or "produce a play" when appropriate. The phrase is frequently found in news and media sources, as well as academic contexts. To avoid common errors, ensure that the object "a play" is included to maintain the phrase's intended meaning. Remember to use "put on a play" when you want to talk about creating a performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stage a play

This alternative focuses on the act of bringing a play to the stage.

put on a theatrical show

Synonymous, but emphasizes the "theatrical" nature of the event.

produce a play

This alternative emphasizes the organizational and logistical aspects of creating a play.

perform a play

This option focuses on the act of acting out a play for an audience.

present a play

Similar to 'perform', this highlights the act of showing the play to an audience.

mount a production

This phrase emphasizes the effort and scale of putting together a theatrical performance.

create a stage production

This alternative highlights the process of building and crafting a play for the stage.

direct a play

Focuses on the aspect of providing artistic and practical guidance to a theatrical production.

host a play

Implies providing the venue or resources for a play to be performed.

organize a theatrical performance

A more formal way of expressing the arrangement and execution of a play.

FAQs

What does it mean to "put on a play"?

To "put on a play" means to organize, produce, and perform a theatrical production. It involves selecting a script, casting actors, rehearsing, and presenting the play to an audience.

Is "put on a play" formal or informal?

"Put on a play" is generally considered an informal expression. More formal alternatives include "stage a play" or "produce a play".

What are some verbs I can use instead of "put on" in the phrase "put on a play"?

You can use verbs like "stage", "produce", "perform", or "present" to replace "put on" in the phrase "put on a play".

How do you use "put on a play" in a sentence?

You can use "put on a play" in sentences like: "The drama club decided to "put on a play" this semester", or "The community theater plans to "put on a play" based on a local legend".