a discussion going on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a discussion going on' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an ongoing conversation between two or more people. For example: I could hear a discussion going on in the next room as I waited for my appointment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

"There is a discussion going on," he says.

Independent

"We're aware that there's a discussion going on between them and England," he said.

Independent

I hope you will use the comment box below to get a discussion going on the subject of transfer admissions.

The New York Times

"There is a discussion going on around the producer-led model versus the artist-led model like it's a dichotomy.

The Guardian

Earlier this month, Mr. Wolff said at a panel discussion, "There is a discussion going on in my company over what this magazine should be".

The New York Times

"We use them to get a discussion going on all kinds of things, also as a kind of mirror on contemporary society.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"It's safe to say it's a global discussion going on with a number of publishers," he said.

The New York Times

In fact, a big discussion going on right now is about whether all calories are the same.

HuffPost

Nonetheless, there was resistance from call-handlers here, some of whom were concerned about how much buy-in there was amongst the range of actors implicated in delivery: Quite often there'll be a heated discussion going on somewhere of people really that are just running it down, and probably people that have never used it.

BMC Health Services Research

"There is an open discussion going on," he responds cautiously.

The Guardian

Chess ok showing the match too, with an interesting discussion going on below.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you use the phrase "a discussion going on", ensure the context provides enough information about the subject or participants involved, to make the statement meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "a discussion going on" with redundant qualifiers like "currently" or "at this moment". The phrase itself already implies an ongoing action, so adding these words can make the sentence sound awkward and repetitive. Instead, focus on providing specific details about the discussion's topic or participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a discussion going on" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes an ongoing conversational activity. Ludwig examples support this function, showcasing its use in various contexts to denote active dialogues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a discussion going on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe an ongoing conversation or debate. Ludwig's analysis indicates its versatile usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it's advisable to avoid redundant qualifiers. Consider alternatives like "ongoing conversation" or "talks underway" depending on the desired tone. The phrase is deemed correct and usable, as supported by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an ongoing conversation

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the exchange.

a conversation in progress

Focuses on the active and unfolding nature of the conversation.

talks underway

Implies a more formal setting or negotiation context.

a debate in progress

Suggests a more structured and potentially adversarial discussion.

a current debate

Focuses on the topicality and relevance of the debate.

an exchange of views happening

Highlights the reciprocal sharing of opinions.

a dialogue taking place

Emphasizes open communication and mutual understanding.

matters under discussion

Points to the specific subject being talked about.

issues being discussed

Similar to the previous one but emphasizes that are issues.

a negotiation in process

Highlights the intent to reach a consensus.

FAQs

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

You can use "a discussion going on" to describe an ongoing conversation or debate. For instance, "There is "a discussion going on" about the new policy in the office".

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

For a more formal tone, consider using "talks underway" or "matters under discussion".

Is "a discussion going on" the same as "a debate going on"?

While similar, "a discussion going on" is broader and implies any conversation, whereas "a debate going on" suggests a more structured and potentially adversarial exchange.

What are some other ways to say "a discussion going on"?

Alternatives include "an ongoing conversation", "a conversation in progress", or "an exchange of views happening", each with slight nuances in meaning.