a general discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a general discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to an open and broad conversation on a particular topic. For example, "Our team had a general discussion about the new product launch."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We will first discuss the results of the experiments and conclude with a general discussion on the framework.

Plosone

They were described simply as a "general discussion".

Independent

"It was a general discussion, but we felt good about it," Rout said.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he recalled meeting with Vice President Dick Cheney twice and had a "general discussion".

The New York Times

It began with a general discussion about Copenhagen, climate denial and, of course, the hacked emails.

The Guardian

A general discussion was continuing about the direction of North Korea policy, another official said.

The Guardian

Following convention, his sermon began with a general discussion of religion, but it soon became political.

The New Yorker

A meeting on the question led to a general discussion of interstate commerce.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It was really a general discussion about a range of issues".

The New York Times

To follow up, conduct a general discussion about the experience of creating lyrics spontaneously in that forum.

The New York Times

(For a general discussion of spacecraft, launch considerations, flight trajectories, and navigation, docking, and recovery procedures, see spaceflight).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a general discussion" in your writing, ensure that the context provides enough detail to understand the topic being discussed. If the discussion is about a specific area, mention it briefly to give clarity to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a general discussion" as a placeholder when you can provide specific details about the conversation or its outcomes. Instead of saying "there was a general discussion", try to provide a brief summary of the main points covered or decisions made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to an exchange of views on a particular topic, without necessarily focusing on specific details or outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general discussion" is a grammatically correct and versatile noun phrase used to describe a broad conversation or exchange of ideas. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific and academic writing to news media and general conversation. Its frequency is classified as very common, making it a familiar and easily understood expression. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure to provide sufficient context to clarify the topic being discussed. While it's useful for indicating that a topic was explored broadly, avoid overusing it as a placeholder for more specific details. Related phrases such as "a broad discussion" or "an open conversation" can be used to add nuance to your descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad discussion

Replaces "general" with "broad", emphasizing the extensive scope of the discussion.

a wide-ranging discussion

Substitutes "general" with "wide-ranging", highlighting the variety of topics covered.

a wide-ranging conversation

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation", which is more informal.

an open discussion

Focuses on the accessibility and lack of restrictions in the conversation.

a preliminary discussion

Indicates that the discussion is an initial exploration of a topic.

a casual conversation

Suggests a more informal and relaxed exchange of ideas.

a comprehensive overview

Shifts the focus from discussion to a structured presentation of information.

a thorough examination

Implies a more detailed and analytical exploration of the subject matter.

a basic overview

Highlights the introductory nature of the discussion, focusing on fundamental aspects.

a free-flowing exchange

Emphasizes the natural and unrestricted flow of ideas between participants.

FAQs

What does "a general discussion" mean?

It refers to an informal and open conversation covering a topic without focusing on specific details or decisions.

How can I use "a general discussion" in a sentence?

You might say, "The committee had "a general discussion" about budget allocation" or "The meeting began with "a general discussion" of the project's goals".

What are some alternatives to "a general discussion"?

Consider using phrases such as "a broad discussion", "an open conversation", or "a preliminary discussion" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a general discussion"?

It's suitable when you want to indicate that a topic was explored broadly without delving into specific details or outcomes. It's best when the specifics aren't crucial to the main point.