put on displays

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on displays" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of exhibiting or showcasing something, such as items, information, or performances. Example: "The museum decided to put on displays of ancient artifacts to attract more visitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

His social role was that of what used to be called a confirmed bachelor, an apparently asexual gentleman in his case, one who liked to schmooze with both sexes, and put on displays of old-fashioned snobbishness that his friends, since none of them had to live with it, found charming.

The New Yorker

In a mano-a-mano affair, Bryant, the otherworldly guard of the Lakers, and Bibby, the floor leader of the Kings, put on displays of clutch play not seen since Michael Jordan left the court to the N.B.A.'s young Turks.

The New York Times - Sports

She is asked to defy the laws of physics, put on displays of athletic ingenuity, but also comport herself like she is at the local country club.

Huffington Post

Various partners including the Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) put on displays and distributed information aimed at the students who attended.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The bright yellow one they'd put on display had been shot 57 times.

The Washington Post

"It had never been put on display.

The New York Times - Arts

Eight identified brains were put on display.

The New York Times - Science

They must be put on display.

The Guardian - Arts

Shortly before the sale, the manuscript was put on display.

The New Yorker

Finally it was killed and put on display at Ferrara.

The Guardian - Arts

At the V.M.A.s, that partnership was again put on display.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put on displays" when referring to a planned or deliberate exhibition, whether of objects, skills, or qualities. For example, "The athletes put on displays of incredible strength and agility."

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who or what is doing the displaying. Instead of "Displays were put on", specify who "put on displays".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on displays" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of showcasing or exhibiting something. Ludwig shows that this phrase describes deliberate acts of presentation, whether physical items or abstract qualities like skills.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put on displays" is used to describe the act of showcasing or exhibiting something, often with intention and planning. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, though its frequency is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "exhibit" or "showcase" exist, "put on displays" specifically emphasizes a deliberate presentation. When using this phrase, it's best to ensure clarity by specifying who or what is doing the displaying.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on exhibit

Similar meaning, emphasizing public viewing.

put on view

Highlights making something accessible for observation.

exhibit

Focuses on the act of showing something publicly.

showcase

Implies highlighting the best features of something.

present

Suggests a more formal introduction or offering.

stage

Emphasizes the preparation and arrangement of a display.

mount

Implies setting up or arranging something for display.

arrange for display

Focuses on the act of organizing a presentation.

offer for viewing

Suggests presenting something to be seen.

make a showing of

Emphasizes demonstrating skill or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "put on displays" in a sentence?

You can use "put on displays" to describe the act of showcasing something, such as "The museum decided to "put on display" a collection of ancient artifacts".

What are some alternatives to "put on displays"?

Alternatives include "exhibit", "showcase", or "present", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "put on displays" or "put on display"?

"Put on display" is generally used for a single item or a collection considered as a whole, while "put on displays" can be used to describe multiple separate exhibitions or acts of showing off multiple skills/items.

What does it mean to "put on displays" of old-fashioned snobbishness?

In the context of someone who "put on displays" of old-fashioned snobbishness, it means they were deliberately and outwardly showing characteristics of being snobbish in an antiquated or exaggerated manner.