I started discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I started discussing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you began a conversation or dialogue about a particular topic. Example: "I started discussing the project details with my team during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Three years ago my wife and I started discussing getting a dog.

The Guardian - Opinion

One night my husband and I started discussing names, and I found myself bringing up Sasha, my father's name.

The New York Times - Magazine

If Val and I started discussing a scene, she'd say: "Well if you two are going to have one of your chats, I'll go and make a few phone calls".

The Guardian

And Jens and I started discussing what we might do after Maps.

TechCrunch

My fellow smokers and I started discussing it with reverent tones as we went outside to smoke at dinner parties or on the sidewalk in front of the office ("Did you hear? There's a pill").. Cold turkey and Camels are not a great combination.

Forbes

Dan and I started discussing the "big stuff" pretty quickly in our relationship.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

That's when I start discussing how to actually sell more books, and lo and behold things turn squishy again.

Huffington Post

They don't mind taking a selfie together, but when I start discussing what hashtag we should all be using here I get some extremely blank looks.

Vice

If they answer "absolutely" then I have a starting point and if they answer "no" then I know where they stand...this is the question I look at before I start discussing the other questions".

BMC Pediatrics

I think Marcos and I first started discussing "The Private Eye" around the end of 2011.

The New York Times

When the General and I first started discussing which of his myriad war stories I would help him tell here, he said, "Have you heard the 'Roger Locher story?'" No I hadn't but before we got too deep into it, I asked, "How many times has that story been told by you or others?" The General replied, "About 5,000 times; it's the most exciting story".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by occasionally using synonyms like "I initiated a discussion" or "I began to talk about" to avoid repetition and maintain reader interest.

Common error

Avoid vagueness by always specifying what you began discussing. For example, instead of saying "I started discussing", say "I started discussing the project timeline" to provide context and prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I started discussing" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of a communicative activity. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I started discussing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate the beginning of a conversation or deliberation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. For more formal settings, consider alternatives like "I initiated a discussion", while more casual options include "I started talking about". Always specify the topic of discussion to avoid vagueness and enhance clarity. This helps ensure effective communication and prevents any misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I began to discuss

Replaces "started" with "began", offering a slightly more formal tone.

I initiated a discussion about

Substitutes "started discussing" with a more formal and structured expression.

I commenced discussing

Uses "commenced" in place of "started", adding a touch of formality and emphasis on the beginning of the discussion.

I got into a discussion about

Indicates the commencement of a discussion in a more casual way.

I opened a dialogue on

Replaces "discussing" with "dialogue", emphasizing the interactive nature of the exchange.

I broached the topic of discussion about

Indicates introducing a new topic, with a slightly more formal approach.

I raised the issue of

Focuses on bringing up a specific matter for discussion.

I embarked on a discussion regarding

A more emphatic and formal way to indicate the beginning of a discussion.

I entered into a conversation about

Highlights the conversational aspect of discussing a topic.

I took up the matter of

Emphasizes the act of addressing a specific matter for discussion.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "I started discussing"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "I initiated a discussion" or "I commenced discussing". These alternatives add a layer of professionalism and are suitable for formal settings.

What can I say instead of "I started discussing" in a casual setting?

In a casual setting, you can use phrases like "I got into a discussion about", or "I started talking about". These options are more conversational and less formal.

How can I emphasize that I introduced a new topic when using "I started discussing"?

To emphasize introducing a new topic, consider saying "I broached the topic of discussion about" or "I raised the issue of". These phrases highlight the act of bringing up something new.

Is "I started discussing about [topic]" grammatically correct?

It's more concise and grammatically standard to say "I started discussing [topic]" without the "about". The word "discussing" inherently implies "about", making the addition redundant.