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Introduce vs present
Introduce means to make people meet or to launch something new; present means to give a report or an idea to a group, or to hand over an award.
Quick rule
Meeting people for the first time: introduce. Showing a report, an idea or an award: present.
To tell someone another person's name the first time they meet, or to put something into use for the first time: introduce A to B.
To show or give something to others: a report, an idea, or an award at a ceremony. The verb is stressed on the second syllable.
Why it trips people up
Both words mean to bring something forward, but they point at different things. Introduce is for people meeting and for new things being put into use. Present is for showing or giving something to an audience.
How each one works
Introduce
introduce someone to someone
Let me introduce you to my sister, Ana.
introduce yourself
The new teacher introduced herself on the first day.
Putting something out for the first time
The company introduced a new phone last month.
Present
A report to a group
She will present the results to her bosses on Friday.
Giving an award
The mayor presented the award to the winner.
Explaining an idea
He presented his idea with a short slideshow.
What comes next
introduce plus person plus to plus person
He introduced me to his parents.
introduce plus oneself (herself, myself)
Each new student will introduce herself to the group.
present plus something plus to plus group
They presented their plan to the committee.
present plus person plus with plus something
The school presented her with a certificate.
Set phrases
Introduce
- introduce yourself
- tell people your name the first time you meet
- introduce a law
- use a new law for the first time
Present
- present an award
- give an award in a ceremony
- present a paper
- read or explain a study to other people
Almost the same
Let me introduce my boss.
Two people meet.
Let me present my boss's plan.
It is shown to a group.
In a conversation
- A:
Hi! Are you the speaker for the afternoon talk?
- B:
Yes. I'm Dr. Reyes. I present first, at three o'clock.
- A:
Nice to meet you. Let me introduce you to the organizer, Tom.
- B:
Thanks. What will he say before I start?
- A:
He will introduce you in one minute. Then you present your results.
- B:
Perfect. I have the slides ready.
Common mistakes
Wrong: Let me present myself: I'm the new manager.
Right: Let me introduce myself: I'm the new manager.
Cambridge: present yourself means to arrive somewhere and report. To tell people your name, say introduce myself.
Wrong: I presented my cousin to my friend at the party.
Right: I introduced my cousin to my friend at the party.
Present a person is possible only in very formal speech (May I present...?). At a party, use introduce.
Memory trick
Introduce people with introduce and to. Present reports and awards with present. If someone speaks to a group, present.
It depends
- A formal introduction
- Cambridge lists present as formal for introducing a person (May I present Professor Carter?). Everyday speech uses introduce.
- Same spelling, new meanings
- Present is also a gift or the current time (noun, stressed PRE-zent) and means "in a place" (adjective): Everyone was present.
FAQ
Introduce or present: which one?
Use introduce for people meeting and new things. Use present for showing a report, an idea or an award to others.
Can I say "present yourself"?
Not to tell people your name. Cambridge uses present yourself for arriving somewhere and reporting in.
Introduce vs present with a person?
Introduce is the everyday word. Present a person sounds very formal.