a need to discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a need to discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the necessity or desire to have a conversation about a particular topic or issue. Example: "There is a need to discuss the upcoming project deadlines to ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Both Mr. Villalba and Ms. Riddle said they recognized a need to discuss mental health policy.

The New York Times

It's a comic tale, as awful holidays often are in hindsight, but was Roberts also aware, as a recently married person and a parent as well as a consumer, of a need to discuss and to share this new phase of life?

The Guardian

I don't feel a need to discuss it more unless you do".

TechCrunch

Thus, there has been a need to discuss the effect of text/background color combination on subjects' reading performance.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

By contrast, in work on Zero Knowledge Protocols [23], there is clearly a need to discuss both world information and exchange information.

Security Informatics

There is a need to discuss future standards at an early stage, as we have done here, but also to perform the commercial and socio economic evaluation that is outside the scope of this paper.

European Transport Research Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

More or less, this leads to a monistic picture, in which any need to discuss mental states is eliminated right away or at least considered as epiphenomenal.

SEP

"We as a nation need to discuss these issues," she said.

The New York Times

We, at a minimum, need to discuss it or whatever the situation is.

The New York Times

Since many systems arising from realistic models heavily depend on histories (i.e., there is the effect of infinite delay on the state equations) [31], there is a real need to discuss partial functional differential systems with infinite delay.

Advances in Difference Equations

As such, there is an urgent need to discuss mitigation of these impacts before they become entrenched and the solutions more difficult to find".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger alternatives like "urgent need" or "critical need" to emphasize the importance of the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "a need to discuss" as a vague statement. Instead of saying "There is a need to discuss this", specify who needs to discuss what, and why it's important. For instance, "The team members need to discuss the project's timeline to ensure deadlines are met."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a need to discuss" functions as a noun phrase that indicates the necessity or requirement to engage in a conversation about a particular subject or issue. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in various contexts, from mental health policy to strategic environmental assessment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a need to discuss" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express the necessity of having a conversation about a particular topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and applicable in different writing contexts. The phrase is common in Science, News & Media, and Wiki articles. To maximize clarity and impact, consider being specific about the topic needing discussion and use stronger alternatives when emphasis is required. Remember to specify who needs to discuss what, and why it's important, to enhance the phrase's effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a necessity for dialogue

Substitutes "need" with "necessity" and "discuss" with the noun form "dialogue", focusing on the exchange of ideas.

a requirement to deliberate

Replaces "need" with "requirement" and "discuss" with "deliberate", suggesting a more formal and structured conversation.

an imperative to converse

Uses "imperative" to emphasize the urgency and importance of the conversation, and "converse" as a formal alternative to discuss.

an important issue to debate

Emphasizes that the topic is worthy of formal argumentation and exchange of ideas.

an urgency to address

Replaces "need to discuss" with "urgency to address", highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the issue.

a crucial topic for conversation

Highlights the topic's importance by describing it as "crucial" and framing the discussion as a "conversation".

a significant item for discourse

Uses the more formal "discourse" to indicate a structured and detailed discussion

an obligation to consult

Suggests a formal duty or responsibility to have a discussion or seek advice.

a vital point to examine

Focuses on the importance of scrutinizing or investigating a specific aspect.

a pressing matter for consideration

Transforms the phrase into a more descriptive expression, emphasizing the importance and relevance of the topic.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to say "a need to discuss"?

You can use alternatives such as "a requirement to deliberate", "an imperative to converse", or "a necessity for dialogue depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "a need to discuss" more impactful?

To increase impact, add adjectives that emphasize urgency or importance, such as "an urgent need to discuss" or "a critical need to discuss".

Is it better to use "a need to discuss" or "the need to discuss"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "the need to discuss" often implies a more specific or already established need, while "a need to discuss" is more general.

What is the difference between "a need to discuss" and "a need for discussion"?

"A need to discuss" implies an active conversation is required. "A need for discussion" indicates that the topic warrants a conversation but doesn't necessarily imply immediate action.