give a presentation

Meaning

This phrase means to deliver a speech or talk to an audience, typically using slides or visual aids, to share information or pitch an idea. It is a standard collocation in professional and educational settings. The tone is neutral to formal.

Examples

• I have to give a presentation to the board of directors tomorrow morning.

  I have to give a presentation to the board of directors tomorrow morning.

• She was nervous about having to give a presentation in front of fifty people.

  She was nervous about having to give a presentation in front of fifty people.

• He used clear slides to give a presentation on the new marketing strategy.

  He used clear slides to give a presentation on the new marketing strategy.

• Learning how to give a presentation effectively is a crucial career skill.

  Learning how to give a presentation effectively is a crucial career skill.

• After you give a presentation, there will be ten minutes for questions.

  After you give a presentation, there will be ten minutes for questions.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I need to make a presentation tomorrow.

  ✓ I need to give a presentation tomorrow.

  While 'make a presentation' is sometimes used to mean *creating* the slides, 'give' or 'deliver' is the correct verb for *delivering* the talk.

• ✗ She did a great presentation yesterday.

  ✓ She gave a great presentation yesterday.

  'Do a presentation' is very informal and often sounds unnatural. Use 'give' or 'deliver' for professional contexts.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The sales manager will ___ on the quarterly results.

  💡 Deliver a talk with visual slides.

  Show answer

  give a presentation

• I always get nervous when I have to ___ in front of a large audience.

  💡 Speak and show slides to a group.

  Show answer

  give a presentation