a discourse going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a discourse going on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing conversation or discussion about a particular topic. Example: "During the conference, there was a discourse going on about the impact of climate change on global economies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has fashioned a kind of mental idiolect, a discourse going on inside one extraordinary person's head.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"What did occur in the wake of Pearl Harbor was an irrational response to wartime hysteria, and I would say that the way that the local discourse is going on right now is we're allowing the word, the notion of Syrian refugees, to be conflated with terrorism," Takano said Wednesday.

Los Angeles Times

Halliday's system of transitivity, which is used by individuals to describe 'what is going on' in a particular discourse sample and which seems to play an important role in power configurations, may be represented by choosing material processes (action, event or transaction), relational processes, and so on, creating various 'issues of representation'.

Functional Linguistics

We'll hit someone if it gets a bit of discourse going," said McDermott.

Wikipedia

The results from the calculations form the base for a broad stakeholder discourse currently going on in the region.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Television was black and white, and so was the discourse, when the show went on in 1956, weeknights at 11, on the New York affiliate of the short-lived DuMont television network.

The New York Times

"You've got a lot going on in Arizona that feeds into the kind of discourse that some people think is creating a contentious climate in this country," said Michael Harrison, editor of Talkers magazine, which covers the industry.

The New York Times

But the idea of a independent body that seeks to influence public discourse goes back a long way.

BBC

The clothes frequently have so much symbolic meaning in a gay ceremony that the discourse can go on for months.

The New York Times - Style

In any case, the process is a remarkable, almost-but-not-quite public airing - kind of like a high-speed film of how scientific discourse can go on - with footnotes.

BBC

"I think that's one of the only things I like about this reality show: the dialogues are very representative of the political discourse that goes on in this country.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a discourse going on", ensure the context clearly establishes the topic being discussed. For example, specify "a discourse going on about climate change" for better clarity.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "a discourse going on" can sound slightly awkward in very formal contexts. Consider using more concise alternatives like "an ongoing debate" or "current discussion" for a smoother tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a discourse going on" functions as a noun phrase, describing an ongoing instance of formal discussion or conversation. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts, denoting active exchanges of ideas.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

15%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a discourse going on" describes an ongoing discussion or conversation, often of a formal nature. While grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its frequency is uncommon. It appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "an ongoing debate" or "current discussion". The phrase serves to inform about the existence and continuation of a discussion. Its neutral register makes it suitable for a variety of contexts, though slightly leaning towards formality due to the word "discourse".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ongoing discussion

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the discussion.

a continuing conversation

Highlights the conversational aspect and its continuation.

a current debate

Focuses on the aspect of conflicting viewpoints being discussed.

an evolving dialogue

Suggests that the conversation is developing and changing over time.

a live discussion

Implies an active, possibly real-time, conversation.

a present discussion

Highlights that the discussion is happening now.

a running commentary

Focuses on a verbal commentary that is progressing.

a developing conversation

Similar to evolving dialogue, emphasizing development.

a persistent discussion

Suggests that the discussion continues despite challenges or obstacles.

a sustained dialogue

Highlights the prolonged nature of the exchange.

FAQs

How can I use "a discourse going on" in a sentence?

You can use "a discourse going on" to describe an active and ongoing conversation or discussion. For example: "There is "a discourse going on" about the new policy changes."

What's a more formal alternative to "a discourse going on"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "an ongoing debate", "a current discussion", or "sustained dialogue" instead of "a discourse going on".

Is it correct to say "a discourse that is going on" instead of "a discourse going on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a discourse going on" is more concise and commonly used. The phrase "a discourse that is going on" might sound more verbose.

What is the difference between "a discussion going on" and "a discourse going on"?

While similar, "discourse" often implies a more formal, structured, or academic conversation than "discussion". "A discussion going on" is generally more informal and can refer to any type of conversation, whereas "a discourse going on" typically denotes a more in-depth and analytical exchange.