a bit of a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a bit of a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation or dialogue that is somewhat informal or not very extensive. Example: "We had a bit of a discussion about the project timeline during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Let me come down and try and have a bit of a discussion.

Yale University

"And we then had a bit of a discussion with the doctors as well as his wife, Graca Machel, and we left".

Independent

We were there, looked at him, saw him and then we had a bit of a discussion with the doctors and his wife," Mr. Zuma said.

The New York Times

"What happened was there was a bit of a discussion between my office and his office on the Saturday about a call," he said.

The Guardian

Would the Fed get so "lucky" again Last year, economic writers were having a bit of a discussion about whether headline inflation, driven by rising commodity prices, might begin driving up core inflation and setting off an upward spiral.

The Economist

I have been hosting a bit of a discussion of this on my twitter feed @dan_kammen, for anyone interested to share what they have discussed with friends at other colleges and universities.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There is this one particular scene that was a bit of a heated discussion with his wife and it was just unbelievable how powerful it was.

Independent

"There's a bit of a Robin Hood discussion around whether a plan should charge the rich to pay for the poor," said Steve Utkus, a principal at Vanguard, which does not pay employers and their retirement plan administrators any revenue sharing but accepts it from other fund companies when it serves as a record keeper for a company's retirement plan.

The New York Times

He said it's a bit of a technical discussion.

TechCrunch

It's been a bit of a heated discussion today, hasn't it?

BBC

This was a bit of a problem, as the discussion is pretty much the idea of this series.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of a discussion" to indicate a conversation that is relatively brief and informal. It's suitable when the exchange isn't extensive or highly structured.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit of a discussion" in situations requiring formality or when the conversation was extensive and detailed. Instead, opt for terms like "extensive deliberation" or "in-depth conversation" to accurately reflect the nature of the exchange.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of a discussion" functions as a noun phrase, describing a conversation that is relatively short or informal. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, indicating a non-technical exchange of ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of a discussion" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a conversation that is relatively short and informal. According to Ludwig, its primary function is to downplay the intensity or length of a conversation, making it suitable for neutral to informal contexts. While the phrase appears in reputable news sources and academic content, it should be used judiciously in highly formal settings. Consider using more formal alternatives like "brief deliberation" or "concise exchange" in such cases. By being mindful of the context, you can effectively use "a bit of a discussion" to accurately reflect the nature of the exchange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a brief chat

Implies a more informal and shorter conversation than "a bit of a discussion".

a short conversation

Highlights the brevity of the interaction compared to a more in-depth "discussion".

a quick talk

Emphasizes the speed and lack of formality in the conversation.

a small debate

Suggests a mild disagreement or exchange of opposing views, which is a specific type of "discussion".

a light exchange

Implies a less serious and more casual interaction than a full-fledged "discussion".

a moment of dialogue

Highlights a specific instance of conversation, possibly within a larger context.

a touch of debate

Suggests a very minimal or brief argument; less intense than "a bit of a discussion".

a minor disagreement

Focuses on a slight conflict in opinions during the conversation.

a passing remark

Indicates a brief comment made within a conversation, not a full discussion.

a point of contention

Emphasizes a specific issue that was debated within the larger conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of a discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit of a discussion" to describe a brief or somewhat informal conversation, as in "We had "a bit of a discussion" about the budget during the meeting".

What's a more formal alternative to "a bit of a discussion"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "a brief deliberation", "a short conversation", or "a concise exchange" instead of "a bit of a discussion".

Is "a bit of a discussion" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "a bit of a discussion" might be too informal for academic writing. More suitable alternatives include "a preliminary analysis" or "a concise examination".

How does "a bit of a discussion" differ from "an in-depth conversation"?

"A bit of a discussion" implies a shorter, less detailed exchange, while "an in-depth conversation" suggests a thorough and extensive dialogue. Consider alternatives like "brief chat" or "detailed conversation" to be more specific.