a conversation where

USAGE SUMMARY

"a conversation where" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate the setting, purpose, or topic for a conversation. For example: "We had a conversation where we discussed the upcoming meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You've never had a conversation where it's helpful to distinguish one category of person from another?

Independent

"It felt good," he said, "to have a conversation where there was clarity".

The New York Times

Every subway ride starts with a presumption of silence; every cab ride starts with a conversation: Where are we going?

The New York Times

And so we're not even having a conversation where the basic cost numbers are compared in an equal way.

Cornell University

But sometimes it's better to have a conversation, where other voices are considered and different views are exchanged.

Harvard Business Review

This led to a conversation where Saeed asked if I was interested in coming on as a full-time writer.

The Guardian - Books

"We wanted to make them speak, and instigate a conversation where they are on an equal footing".

The Guardian - Arts

"If you lay out a bunch of options, you preserve the ability to have a conversation where after a long period of time you achieve a consensus outcome".

The New York Times

"Schwartz Rounds is like a conversation where we get to debrief and learn from others and try to do better, instead of just moving on and forgetting".

The New York Times

"It was not a formal resignation," a board member said, "just a conversation where he said he'd come to this conclusion".

The New York Times

"And if I suddenly have to get into a conversation where I'm penalizing them if they use a credit card, it doesn't make for very good customer service".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a conversation where", ensure the 'where' clause clearly and directly relates to the conversation being described, providing essential context or detail.

Common error

Avoid using "a conversation where" when you actually need "a conversation that". 'Where' should only be used to indicate location or circumstance. If you're describing a characteristic of the conversation, use "that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conversation where" functions as a relative clause, introducing a description of the context or setting in which a conversation occurs. It typically modifies a noun, providing additional information about the conversation. Ludwig confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conversation where" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a clause that describes the context or setting of a conversation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and suitable for various writing contexts, especially for describing settings and clarifying a conversation's purpose. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure 'where' is used appropriately to denote location or circumstance, avoiding its misuse in place of 'that' when describing a characteristic. Ludwig's examples show its frequent use in News & Media, Academia and Wiki contexts, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discussion in which

Focuses on a more formal exchange of ideas, shifting from general conversation to a structured discussion.

an exchange where

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the interaction, emphasizing the give-and-take between participants.

a dialogue in which

Suggests a deeper, more meaningful exchange, implying a focus on understanding and connection.

a meeting where

Specifies the setting as a formal gathering, potentially involving structured agendas and decision-making.

an interaction where

Broadens the scope to include any form of mutual action or influence, not necessarily limited to verbal communication.

a situation in which we talked

Replaces the direct mention of "conversation" with "situation in which we talked", adding extra words.

a scenario in which we conversed

Replaces the direct mention of "conversation" with "scenario in which we conversed", adding extra words.

during our conversation

Shorter alternative, removing the relative pronoun, it becomes a simple prepositional phrase.

when we spoke about

Replaces the noun "conversation" with the verb "spoke", changing sentence structure.

in our talk about

Another alternative to substitute "conversation" using "talk" while also changing the whole sentence structure.

FAQs

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

Use "a conversation where" to describe a setting or circumstance in which a conversation takes place. For example, "It was "a conversation where" we discussed future plans".

What's a more formal alternative to "a conversation where"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "a discussion in which" or "an exchange where", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a conversation which" instead of "a conversation where"?

While grammatically acceptable, "a conversation which" is less common and might sound slightly awkward. ""a conversation where"" is generally preferred when describing the context or setting.

When should I use "a conversation that" instead of "a conversation where"?

Use "a conversation that" when the clause following it describes a quality or characteristic of the conversation, rather than the setting or circumstances. For example, "a conversation that was very productive."