a conversation ensued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conversation ensued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a discussion or dialogue took place following a particular event or statement. Example: "After the presentation, a conversation ensued about the implications of the new policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

A conversation ensued.

The New York Times

"You know, the president?" Finally, a conversation ensued.

The New York Times

A conversation ensued about how easily models get H-1B visas.

The New Yorker

A conversation ensued, and within two weeks he was given an audience with the DreamWorks maestro.

The New York Times - Magazine

A conversation ensued about the rescue workers at the World Trade Center site, many of whom are firefighters living in and around Gerritsen Beach.

The New York Times

When Dr. Brown introduced herself to Mr. Nemanick, the classmate's companion, a conversation ensued, during which she and Mr. Nemanick spoke of her deep commitment to feminist values.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

A conversation ensues that is the platonic ideal until, suddenly, the scene shifts to the mother sitting in an aisle seat of an American plane.

The New York Times

A conversation ensues about the size of her name on a children's book she's written the foreword to: Donaldson felt her name had been too big on the initial proof, given she hadn't written it.

The Guardian - Books

A conversation ensues between a customer and Genius Bar employee, the term "double dongle" is coined and the former grimaces like someone just explained the plot of Human Centipede to him for the first time.

TechCrunch

A conversation ensues with Williams showing him a photo of someone presumed to be her mother.

Wikipedia

A conversation ensues about the juggling act of applying generalities on specific landscapes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a conversation ensued" to indicate that a discussion naturally followed a specific event or prompt. It is suitable for formal writing and narrative contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a conversation ensued" in casual or informal settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "we started talking" or "we had a chat" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conversation ensued" functions as a narrative device, indicating the commencement of a discussion. It serves to bridge events, showing a direct consequence where dialogue begins following a preceding action or statement, as evidenced in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a conversation ensued" is a grammatically sound and narratively useful expression indicating that a discussion followed a particular event. While not overly common, as Ludwig AI points out, it is well-suited for formal writing and reporting, particularly in news and media contexts. When choosing to use this phrase, consider the context to ensure it aligns with the desired level of formality. Simpler alternatives like "we started talking" might be more appropriate for casual settings. Remember that using "a conversation ensued" can add a touch of formality to your writing, signaling a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of events through dialogue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discussion followed

Replaces "conversation ensued" with a more general term, "discussion followed".

a dialogue began

Substitutes "conversation" with "dialogue" and "ensued" with "began", focusing on the start of an exchange.

talks commenced

Uses a more formal term "talks" instead of "conversation" and "commenced" instead of "ensued".

a discussion unfolded

Emphasizes the gradual development of the conversation using "unfolded" in place of "ensued".

a discussion arose

Indicates that the discussion happened spontaneously using "arose" instead of "ensued".

a dialogue unfolded

Combines "dialogue" for "conversation" and "unfolded" for "ensued", highlighting the development of the exchange.

words were exchanged

Focuses on the action of exchanging words, rather than the broader concept of a conversation.

an exchange took place

Highlights the act of exchanging ideas or information, using "exchange" in place of "conversation".

a back-and-forth commenced

Emphasizes the interactive nature of the conversation, using "back-and-forth" to describe the exchange.

a communicative interaction began

Replaces the phrase with more formal and technical terms, emphasizing the communicative aspect of the interaction.

FAQs

What does "a conversation ensued" mean?

The phrase "a conversation ensued" means that a conversation followed or began as a result of something else. It indicates that a discussion took place after a particular event or statement.

How can I use "a conversation ensued" in a sentence?

You can use "a conversation ensued" to show that a discussion followed a specific action or event. For example, "After the presentation, "a conversation ensued" about the project's feasibility".

What are some alternatives to "a conversation ensued"?

Alternatives to "a conversation ensued" include "a discussion followed", "talks commenced", or "a dialogue began". The choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "a conversation ensued" formal or informal?

"A conversation ensued" leans towards the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "we started talking" or "we had a chat".