In 15 Sekunden
- Sharing information formally with an audience using visuals.
- Commonly used in business, school, and professional settings.
- Pairs the verb 'give' with the noun 'presentation'.
Bedeutung
This phrase describes the act of standing in front of people to share information using slides or speech. It is the standard way to say you are teaching or explaining something to a group.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6In a morning meeting
I have to give a presentation on the new budget today.
I have to deliver a talk about the new budget today.
Texting a classmate
Are you ready to give our presentation in history class?
Are you ready to do our history talk?
Formal conference
It is an honor to give this presentation to such experts.
It is an honor to deliver this talk to experts.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Presentations are often expected to be interactive. It is common for the audience to interrupt with questions, and the speaker is expected to be energetic. Presentations are usually very formal and follow a strict structure. Questions are typically saved for the very end to avoid interrupting the flow and showing disrespect. There is a high value placed on data and technical accuracy. If you give a presentation in Germany, be prepared to defend your statistics in great detail. British presenters often use self-deprecating humor or 'understatement' to avoid sounding too arrogant while giving a presentation.
The 10-20-30 Rule
When giving a presentation, try to have 10 slides, last 20 minutes, and use 30-point font.
Don't Read the Slides
The biggest mistake when giving a presentation is reading exactly what is on the screen. Use the slides as a guide, not a script.
In 15 Sekunden
- Sharing information formally with an audience using visuals.
- Commonly used in business, school, and professional settings.
- Pairs the verb 'give' with the noun 'presentation'.
What It Means
To give a presentation is to share your ideas with an audience. You usually use a screen or a whiteboard to help. It is like telling a long story with facts. It is the most common way to talk about public speaking in business or school.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a complete action. Always use the verb give with the noun presentation. You can also use make or deliver, but give is the friendliest choice. Don't forget the article a. You say, "I have to give a presentation tomorrow." It sounds smooth and natural.
When To Use It
Use this in any setting where one person talks and others listen. It is perfect for a business meeting at 9:00 AM. It works for a university project or a community meeting. You can even use it for a wedding speech if you have slides. (Though slides at a wedding might be a bit much!)
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a casual chat with one friend. If you are just telling a secret, you are not giving a presentation. Also, avoid it for short announcements. If you just say "Pizza is here!", that is not a presentation. It implies a structured, prepared talk.
Cultural Background
In Western work culture, giving a presentation is a vital skill. It is how people show they are experts. Children start doing this in school very early. We call it "Show and Tell" when they are five. By the time they are adults, they are pros at using PowerPoint. It is a rite of passage in the corporate world.
Common Variations
You might hear people say do a presentation. This is very common in casual office talk. Deliver a presentation is the fancy version. If you are nervous, you might say you have to run through a presentation. This sounds like you are practicing or doing it quickly.
Nutzungshinweise
This is a highly versatile 'neutral' phrase. It works in 95% of professional and academic situations without sounding too stiff or too lazy.
The 10-20-30 Rule
When giving a presentation, try to have 10 slides, last 20 minutes, and use 30-point font.
Don't Read the Slides
The biggest mistake when giving a presentation is reading exactly what is on the screen. Use the slides as a guide, not a script.
Eye Contact
Try to look at different people in the room while giving your presentation to keep them engaged.
Check the Room
In some cultures, it is polite to wait for the most senior person to nod before you start giving your presentation.
Beispiele
6I have to give a presentation on the new budget today.
I have to deliver a talk about the new budget today.
Standard professional use.
Are you ready to give our presentation in history class?
Are you ready to do our history talk?
Used for school projects.
It is an honor to give this presentation to such experts.
It is an honor to deliver this talk to experts.
Very respectful tone.
I'm going to give a presentation on why we should order pizza.
I'm going to explain why we need pizza.
Using a formal phrase for a silly topic.
You are going to give a great presentation, don't worry!
You will do a great job with your talk!
Used to provide emotional support.
I was so nervous to give that presentation that I forgot my name.
I was so scared to talk that I forgot my name.
Sharing a vulnerable moment.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'give'.
Last week, I _______ a presentation to the board of directors.
The sentence refers to 'last week,' so the past tense 'gave' is required.
Which preposition is most natural?
She is giving a presentation _______ the benefits of remote work.
We give a presentation 'on' or 'about' a topic.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Are you ready for the meeting? B: Yes, I'm _______ the presentation at 10 AM.
While 'doing' and 'making' are used, 'giving' is the most standard and professional choice in this context.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase fits a formal business conference?
'Give a presentation' is the appropriate formal term for a professional conference.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Presentation Checklist
Preparation
- • Research
- • Slides
- • Practice
Delivery
- • Eye Contact
- • Voice
- • Timing
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenLast week, I _______ a presentation to the board of directors.
The sentence refers to 'last week,' so the past tense 'gave' is required.
She is giving a presentation _______ the benefits of remote work.
We give a presentation 'on' or 'about' a topic.
A: Are you ready for the meeting? B: Yes, I'm _______ the presentation at 10 AM.
While 'doing' and 'making' are used, 'giving' is the most standard and professional choice in this context.
Which phrase fits a formal business conference?
'Give a presentation' is the appropriate formal term for a professional conference.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenYes, but it is informal. In a job interview or a business meeting, 'give' or 'deliver' is much better.
'Present' is a verb that means the same thing, but 'give a presentation' is the common noun-phrase (collocation) we use in daily English.
Both are correct! 'On' sounds slightly more formal and academic.
You can say, 'I'm a bit nervous about giving this presentation.' It's a very natural thing to say!
You 'make' or 'prepare' the slides, but you 'give' the presentation using those slides.
We still use the same phrase: 'I'm giving a presentation via Zoom today.'
It's not 'better,' just more formal. Use it for very important speeches or conferences.
Yes! You can give a presentation to your boss or a single client.
In business slang, a 'deck' or 'slide deck' is the PowerPoint file you use when giving a presentation.
A common way is to say, 'Thank you for listening. Does anyone have any questions?'
Verwandte Redewendungen
deliver a speech
similarTo talk to an audience without necessarily using slides.
pitch an idea
specialized formTo give a presentation specifically to win support or money.
run a workshop
builds onTo lead an interactive group session.
keynote address
specialized formThe main presentation at a conference.
slide deck
similarThe set of slides used in a presentation.
