put on display

USAGE SUMMARY

"put on display" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of displaying something publicly, e.g., "The newly-discovered fossil was put on display in the museum."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Decide whether you want strictly functional cage or one you can put on display.

WikiHow

Some collect shoes, buying them not to wear but to put on display.

The New York Times

Ka's pose as a journalist allows Pamuk to put on display a wide variety of opinions.

The New York Times - Books

We'll give them to the Danish Film Museum to put on display".

The New York Times - Arts

OPEN HOUSE AT MUSEUM.; War Relics of General Carl Schurz to Be Put on Display.

The New York Times

Archives|OPEN HOUSE AT MUSEUM.; War Relics of General Carl Schurz to Be Put on Display.

The New York Times

Be selective when choosing which of your beloved trinkets to put on display.

Huffington Post

Put on display.

WikiHow

Cut jasmine to put on display.

WikiHow

"It had never been put on display.

The New York Times - Arts

Eight identified brains were put on display.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an event where items are being shown, use "put on display" to clearly indicate the items are available for public viewing. This is especially useful in museums, galleries, and trade shows.

Common error

Avoid using "put on display" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For example, instead of "The artifacts were put on display", consider "The museum displayed the artifacts" for a stronger sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on display" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the action of making something visible or available for public viewing. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage. Examples range from displaying art to exhibiting historical artifacts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

20%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "put on display" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to describe the act of exhibiting something publicly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in news, media, and academic contexts. When using "put on display", ensure it clearly conveys the intention of making something visible for public viewing, and consider alternative phrases like "exhibit" or "showcase" for stylistic variation. Be mindful of the passive voice and choose stronger active verbs when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit

This single word denotes a more formal setting, like a museum.

showcase

Suggests highlighting the best features of something.

present

A more general term for offering something for viewing.

unveil

Implies a grand reveal or first-time showing.

feature

Highlights something as a prominent part of a larger context.

mount an exhibition

More formal; used especially in museum settings.

make available for viewing

More descriptive and less concise.

render visible

Emphasizes the act of making something able to be seen.

layout

This alternative is used when there is intention to organise things in a particular way, where it will "put on display".

stage

Suggests a planned arrangement for dramatic effect.

FAQs

How to use "put on display" in a sentence?

You can use "put on display" to describe the act of publicly exhibiting something. For example, "The artist decided to "put on display" her latest paintings at the gallery".

What can I say instead of "put on display"?

You can use alternatives like "exhibit", "showcase", or "present" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "put on display" or "on display"?

"Put on display" is a verb phrase indicating the action of displaying, while "on display" is an adjective phrase describing the state of being displayed. For instance, "The museum will "put on display" the artifacts", making them "on display".

What's the difference between "put on display" and "show off"?

"Put on display" generally means to exhibit something for viewing, while "show off" implies displaying something to boast or impress. For example, a museum "put on display" historical artifacts, whereas someone might "show off" their new car.