was held in

USAGE SUMMARY

"was held in" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it when referring to a past event which happened in a particular place. For example: "The annual summer festival was held in the town square last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each was held in bail.

The New York Times

Judgment was held in abeyance.

The New Yorker

(The debate was held in Buffalo).

The New Yorker

The funeral was held in Paris.

The New York Times

Mutual suspicion was held in check.

The Economist

The party was held in the lobby.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, she was held in jail.

The Economist

The first Wimbledon was held in 1877.

The New Yorker

He was held in an undisclosed location.

The New York Times

Its first meeting was held in 1964.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yacht Race was held in 1945.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events, use "was held in" to clearly specify the location. Be sure to choose this phrase when the location is an integral part of the event's context.

Common error

Avoid using active voice when passive is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "They held the meeting in Paris", use "The meeting was held in Paris" to emphasize the meeting itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was held in" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating where an event took place. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

13%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was held in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the location of a past event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is most commonly found in news, academic, and encyclopedic contexts, making it a versatile choice for various writing styles. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the passive voice construction and accurately reflects the event's location. Alternatives such as "took place in" or "occurred in" can be used for variety, but "was held in" remains a clear and effective option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took place in

Focuses specifically on the occurrence of an event at a particular location.

occurred in

Similar to 'took place', but may emphasize the spontaneous or unplanned nature of the event.

happened in

A more general term indicating the location where something transpired.

was conducted at

Emphasizes the process and management of an event in a specific location.

was staged in

Implies a planned or theatrical presentation of an event at a given venue.

was celebrated in

Highlights the celebratory aspect of an event occurring in a certain place.

was situated in

Indicates the physical location or placement of something.

was based in

Suggests a headquarters or primary location for an operation or organization.

was confined to

Indicates restriction or limitation of something to a specific area or context.

was limited to

Similar to 'confined to', emphasizing the boundaries of an event or activity.

FAQs

How do I use "was held in" in a sentence?

Use "was held in" to indicate the location where an event took place in the past. For example, "The conference "was held in London"".

What are some alternatives to "was held in"?

Alternatives include "took place in", "occurred in", or "happened in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was holden in" instead of "was held in"?

No, "was holden in" is an archaic form and is not considered correct in modern English. The correct past participle of "hold" is "held", so you should always use "was held in".

Can I use "was held at" instead of "was held in"?

Yes, "was held at" is also correct, especially when referring to a specific venue or building. For example, "The meeting "was held at" the community center". The choice between "in" and "at" often depends on the level of specificity.