a long discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a long discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use "a long discussion" to refer to a conversation or debate that was lengthy in duration. For example, "We had a long discussion about the upcoming election before finally deciding which candidate to support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"[Head coach] Paul Grayson and myself had a long discussion and we discussed my aims and that of Essex".

BBC

Following a long discussion with my doctor, I left the office drained and confused.

Huffington Post

"We had a long discussion.

The Guardian - Books

Later "there's a long discussion of rhubarb".

The New York Times - Books

We had a long discussion about it".

The New York Times

I don't agree, but that's a long discussion.

The New York Times

We had a long discussion about politics and film-making.

The Guardian - Film

And we have had a long discussion about typefaces.

The Guardian - Books

Yeltsin's people engaged McFaul in a long discussion about the elections.

The New Yorker

After a long discussion, the farmer gave Mr. Brock a handful of kernels.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

There are also tweets and a long discussion thread on the Apple website to that effect.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a long discussion", ensure the context clarifies the topic and purpose of the discussion for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a long discussion" repeatedly in close proximity without providing varied details or perspectives. Offer specific insights or break down the extended conversation to keep the narrative engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a long discussion" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, and examples show it describing the duration of a conversation or debate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

22%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a long discussion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes an extended conversation or debate. As Ludwig indicates, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies the topic and purpose of the discussion. Avoid overuse by varying your descriptions to maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a long conversation

Replaces "discussion" with the more general term "conversation", implying a less formal exchange.

a protracted discussion

Uses "protracted" to emphasize the extended duration of the discussion.

a lengthy debate

Substitutes "discussion" with "debate", highlighting the presence of opposing viewpoints.

a drawn out discussion

Uses the phrasal verb "drawn out" to underscore the extended and possibly tedious nature of the discussion.

a detailed deliberation

Replaces "discussion" with "deliberation", emphasizing careful consideration and weighing of options.

a thorough examination

Shifts the focus to a comprehensive analysis, rather than a simple exchange of ideas.

a considerable discussion

Uses "considerable" to highlight the significant length or importance of the discussion.

a long consultation

Substitutes "discussion" with "consultation", suggesting a more advisory or expert-driven conversation.

a longstanding discussion

Emphasizes that the discussion has been ongoing for a considerable period.

a long debate

Emphasizes the contentious nature of the discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a long discussion" to describe an extended conversation, such as, "After "a long discussion", we finally reached a consensus."

What are some alternatives to "a long discussion"?

Alternatives include "a long conversation", "a protracted discussion", or "a lengthy debate" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "a long and lengthy discussion"?

Yes, saying "a long and lengthy discussion" is redundant because "long" and "lengthy" have similar meanings. It's best to choose one or the other.

What's the difference between "a long discussion" and "a brief discussion"?

"A long discussion" implies an extended conversation with considerable detail, while "a brief discussion" suggests a short, concise exchange.