a friendly conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a friendly conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a discussion that is pleasant and amicable, often informal in nature. Example: "After the meeting, we had a friendly conversation about our weekend plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It was a friendly conversation, everything was normal.

Independent

It's time for you to have a friendly conversation with the bride.

The New York Times

Oh, my God, the bee was just having a friendly conversation with her.

The New Yorker

The report said that Weatherley said the text was part of a friendly conversation.

The Guardian

"There's great people watching, and you can generally find somebody to have a friendly conversation".

The New York Times

It was a friendly conversation as opposed to any specific requests".

The Guardian

The deputy White House press secretary, Tony Fratto, called it a friendly conversation.

The New York Times

Goldschmidt remembered a friendly conversation, before the Corsair affair, in which Kierkegaard seemed to grow larger as he talked.

The New Yorker

After appraising the pieces in a friendly conversation with Mrs. Lanier, Mr. Mason turned and reported: "Bulgari.

The New York Times - Style

** Goldschmidt remembered a friendly conversation, before the Corsair affair, in which Kierkegaard seemed to grow larger as he talked.

The New Yorker

He was having a friendly conversation with a woman in a yellow sweater who was pulling a rolling carry-on bag.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to establish rapport, initiate "a friendly conversation" by finding common interests or shared experiences. This helps to create a comfortable and engaging atmosphere.

Common error

While "a friendly conversation" is suitable for many situations, avoid using it excessively in highly formal or professional documents where a more precise term like "discussion" or "consultation" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friendly conversation" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing an interaction, highlighting its amicable nature. As Ludwig AI confirm the expression is correct and well usable in the English language.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friendly conversation" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a pleasant and amicable exchange. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct and usable. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, though it can also appear in more formal or informal settings. When aiming to foster rapport, starting "a friendly conversation" can be highly effective. However, be mindful of the context and avoid overusing it in situations that demand more precise or formal language. Alternatives such as "a pleasant discussion" or "an amicable chat" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an informal chat

Highlights the casual and relaxed nature of the conversation.

an amicable chat

Replaces "conversation" with "chat", implying a more informal and relaxed interaction.

a casual discussion

Similar to 'an informal chat' but implies a slightly more structured interaction.

a pleasant discussion

Substitutes "friendly" with "pleasant" and "conversation" with "discussion", suggesting a more formal exchange.

a cordial exchange

Uses "cordial" to emphasize the politeness and warmth of the interaction, and "exchange" to highlight the back-and-forth nature.

a lighthearted exchange

Emphasizes the joyful and carefree nature of the interaction.

a warm dialogue

Replaces "friendly" with "warm" and "conversation" with "dialogue", emphasizing the positive emotional tone and structured nature.

a neighborly discussion

Highlights the friendly and amicable tone with someone in close social range or geographical area.

a good-natured talk

Uses "good-natured" to describe the positive and agreeable atmosphere, and "talk" for a less formal conversation.

a collegial dialogue

Highlights the respectful, collaborative and friendly tone with someone in the same line of work.

FAQs

How can I start "a friendly conversation"?

Initiate "a friendly conversation" by asking open-ended questions, actively listening, and showing genuine interest in the other person's responses. This helps to build rapport and encourages a comfortable exchange.

What's the difference between "a friendly conversation" and "a casual chat"?

While both phrases suggest an informal exchange, "a friendly conversation" implies a slightly more engaged and interested interaction, whereas "a casual chat" might be more superficial and less focused.

Is "a friendly conversation" appropriate for professional settings?

Yes, "a friendly conversation" can be appropriate in professional settings, especially when building relationships with colleagues or clients. However, in formal reports or presentations, it's best to use more precise terms like "discussion" or "consultation".

What are some alternatives to "a friendly conversation"?

You can use alternatives such as "a pleasant discussion", "an amicable chat", or "a cordial exchange" depending on the specific context and level of formality.