show a play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "show a play" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of presenting or performing a theatrical production. Example: "The theater will show a play every weekend this month." Alternative expressions include "perform a play" and "present a play."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

To show a play seconds after it ended dramatically altered how sports are seen on television.

The New York Times - Sports

Each season at the theatre was different; some years it would show a play or an opera, others it would focus on variety acts such as magicians, comedians and lion tamer Mademoiselle Marguerite, with her seven lions.

Wikipedia

You can hit spacebar or click the video to make YouTube videos play, but it will take a second to start and show a play button overlay on top of the video.

WikiHow

Having earned his presenting break with in-store radio for Virgin Megastores, based in Oxford Street, he now calls his Club Asia slot The Nashta Nooshta Show, a play on Punjabi meaning simply "the breakfast show".

Independent

That last show, a play about a plane crash that featured an in-flight puppet show of "No Exit," attracted the attention of Joanne Akalaitis, a professor at Bard, who helped Mr. Jones secure a post-graduate job at P.S. 122.

The New York Times

The new show – a play on Oliver Stone's 1999 film Any Given Sunday, which itself is taken from Pat Toomay's 1984 novel about a fictional pro football team – is described as a "sports media" talk show, but will also involve pop culture, entertainment, the arts and technology.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Each Saturday, the Web site will show a play-by-play chart (based on a real game played that week), updated standings and scores and statistics from other online schools enlisted for the league.

The New York Times

They are shown in a play room with multiple babies.

Wikipedia

Click it and host a beach fashion show or play a beach fashion show.

WikiHow

Footage shows a lone bagpiper playing amid yesterday's clashes.

BBC

Sex distribution did not show to play an important role regarding enteropathogen prevalence.

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "show a play", ensure the context clearly indicates a theatrical performance rather than a general presentation. For variety, consider using alternatives like "stage a performance" or "mount a production" for a more formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "show a play" when referring to non-theatrical presentations. This phrase specifically implies a dramatic performance, so ensure your context aligns with this meaning. Don't confuse it with "put on a show" which can indicate any kind of presentation or spectacle.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "show a play" is as a verb phrase, where "show" acts as the main verb and "a play" is its direct object. This structure indicates the action of presenting or performing a theatrical work. Ludwig confirms this usage is valid.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

36%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "show a play" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the action of presenting a theatrical performance. Ludwig confirms its validity, noting its usage across varied sources such as News & Media, Wiki and Science. While the frequency is uncommon, it is appropriately used in contexts where a theatrical presentation is being described. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "stage a performance" or "mount a production".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

present a drama

This alternative uses "drama" instead of "play", emphasizing the dramatic nature of the performance.

stage a performance

"Stage" is used as a verb to indicate the act of putting on a performance, which is slightly more formal.

put on a show

This is a more general term, implying any kind of performance, not necessarily a play.

mount a production

This alternative is more specific to theatrical productions, highlighting the effort involved in putting it together.

perform a theatrical piece

This alternative emphasizes the artistic nature of the performance and is more formal.

direct a stage play

This phrase specifies the action of directing a play.

host a theatrical production

This focuses on the act of hosting or organizing the theatrical event.

enact a drama

"Enact" implies bringing a story to life through performance, adding a sense of action.

offer a theatrical presentation

This suggests providing a play as a form of presentation or entertainment.

act out a play

This emphasizes the acting aspect of performing a play, highlighting the performers' role.

FAQs

What does "show a play" mean?

The phrase "show a play" refers to the act of presenting or performing a theatrical work for an audience. It implies staging and presenting a drama or performance.

What can I say instead of "show a play"?

You can use alternatives such as "stage a performance", "present a drama", or "mount a production", depending on the context and desired formality.

How do I use "show a play" in a sentence?

You can use "show a play" like this: "The community theater will show a play next month." or "The school decided to show a play for the annual fundraiser."

Is "show a play" formal or informal?

"Show a play" is generally considered neutral in tone. For more formal contexts, you might prefer "present a drama" or "mount a production". For more informal contexts, "put on a show" could be suitable.