to put on a performance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to put on a performance' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe any type of spectacle or show, usually involving music or theater. For example, "The school's drama club will be putting on a performance of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

We have to put on a performance again".

Independent

It's our responsibility to put on a performance".

The Guardian - Sport

Imagine making love and feeling you have to put on a performance.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I was not doing well at the time, but I was able to put on a performance with a lot of people, really knew how to pull it together when I needed to," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

Even though Ms. Bello had intended the cheese course for after the meal, she quickly adjusted her plans when the McDermott girls, ages 4 and 6, announced they were going to put on a "performance" in the living room.

The New York Times - Style

So perhaps there will even be time for the family to put on a performance of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific as way of saying thanks to their generous hosts.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

On Friday night, a group of children had planned to put on a ballet performance.

The New York Times

At the end of each month, the theaters will be invited to put on a free performance of their share of the cycle at the Public Theater.

The New York Times

So in lieu of the Salzburg festival, there's a chance to put on a private performance of Rihm's new opera in a London venue of our choosing.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm looking to put on a devastating performance - the best of my career to date," said Fury, who has won all 20 of his professional bouts.

BBC

"It's great to be involved in such a great weekend of sport and I am looking to put on a world champion performance".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to put on a performance" when you want to convey the idea of presenting a planned and prepared event or show to an audience. It can apply to various contexts, from theater and music to sports and even everyday life situations where someone is acting in a certain way.

Common error

Avoid using "to put on a performance" when you actually mean to describe how well something functions or operates. For instance, don't say "The engine put on a great performance" if you mean "The engine ran very efficiently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to put on a performance" typically functions as a verb phrase, where 'to put on' acts as a compound verb indicating the action of staging or presenting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound expression. It's followed by the noun phrase 'a performance', which specifies what is being staged.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to put on a performance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of staging or presenting an event, show, or display to an audience. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, primarily in News & Media, and it maintains a generally neutral tone. While related phrases like "to stage a show" or "to give a presentation" offer similar meanings, each carries slightly different connotations. When using the phrase, ensure that it accurately conveys the intent of presenting something planned and avoid confusing it with terms related to efficiency or functionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to stage a show

Focuses on the act of organizing and presenting a theatrical event.

to present a spectacle

Highlights the visual and impressive nature of the event.

to execute a display

Focuses on a skillful or elaborate demonstration.

to give a presentation

Implies a more formal setting, focusing on conveying information.

to showcase talent

Highlights the demonstration of abilities or skills.

to perform a routine

Suggests a set of actions that someone has learned and repeats.

to offer an exhibition

Implies a public showing of art or other items of interest.

to put on an act

Indicates a deceptive or insincere display.

to roll out a demonstration

Specifically refers to unveil and demonstrate how a product or service works.

to deliver a recitation

Emphasizes the verbal delivery of a prepared text.

FAQs

How can I use "to put on a performance" in a sentence?

You can use "to put on a performance" to describe the act of presenting a show or display. For example: "The school is planning "to put on a performance" of 'The Wizard of Oz'".

What are some alternatives to "to put on a performance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to stage a show", "to give a presentation", or "to present a spectacle".

Is it correct to say 'to put in a performance' instead of "to put on a performance"?

No, the correct idiom is "to put on a performance". Saying "to put in a performance" is not standard English and would likely be confusing.

What's the difference between "to put on a performance" and "to give a performance"?

While similar, "to put on a performance" often implies more planning and preparation, whereas "to give a performance" can be more general. Both refer to the act of presenting something to an audience.