a parallel conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a parallel conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion that runs alongside another conversation, often addressing similar themes or topics without directly engaging with the main discussion. Example: "While the main meeting focused on budget issues, there was a parallel conversation about team dynamics happening in the corner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"I truly believe that we can have parallel conversations about respect for police officers, making sure that they're safe, but also have a parallel conversation about the things that are happening with African American males across the country," James said.

The Guardian

While Macfadyen seethed, a parallel conversation was taking shape among a group of people including 64-year-old Mel Usher, a native of Sunderland who had settled in Frome after a long career working in and around local government.

The Guardian

As Mr. Foley and the embattled Haitian leader spoke, Mr. Aristide's security force was already in a parallel conversation with security experts at the American Embassy about whether the president and the security officials could safely stay in the country, and what assistance Washington could provide.

The New York Times

Only if you think that the Daily Mail's impact around Downing Street has increased exponentially because its now runs "the world's biggest newspaper online" (as opposed to pursuing a parallel conversation keener on "ample cleavages" than a Dacre boot in some hapless bureaucrat's ribs).

The Guardian

Tomorrow, we will run a parallel conversation with the Democrat David Sutphen, Mehlman's co-chair at the Internet Innovation Alliance and a prominent technology and civil rights advocate.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The parallel conversation about getting more of an African-American presence onscreen paid early dividends with the aforementioned Tangerine, as well as Spike Lee's Chi-Raq, a Greek comedy reset in Chicago's ganglands, and Ryan Coogler's superb re-imagining of the Rocky franchise in Creed (out next year in the UK).

The Guardian - Film

It's important to stress that the sound piece and paintings are not illustrations of one another but are analogous of each other a parallel conversation between the aural and the physical". .

Vice

Crave (1998) A poem for four voices, styled as two parallel conversations, it drew on T.S. Eliot's The Wasteland and the Bible.

The Guardian

A virtuoso poem for four voices, styled as two parallel conversations, it drew on The Wasteland and the Bible, and proved that Kane could write with tender, playful, Beckettian brilliance.

The Guardian

Trawling through the posts, there are several parallel conversations.

The Guardian - Opinion

These two parallel conversations lead to distinctive patterns of tweeting.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a parallel conversation" when you want to emphasize that two discussions are occurring simultaneously, often addressing related but distinct aspects of a broader topic. This helps highlight different perspectives or approaches to the same issue.

Common error

Avoid using "a parallel conversation" when the discussions are completely unrelated or have no overlapping themes. Ensure there is a clear connection, even if indirect, between the topics being discussed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a parallel conversation" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a discussion that occurs alongside another, often related, discussion. Ludwig examples showcase it describing concurrent dialogues within various contexts, reinforcing its role as a descriptor of simultaneous exchanges.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a parallel conversation" is a noun phrase used to describe a discussion that occurs simultaneously with, and often in relation to, another. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears primarily in news and media contexts, signifying concurrent dialogues on related topics. While grammatically sound, it's a relatively rare expression. Alternatives like "concurrent discussion" or "related dialogue" may offer similar meanings depending on the context. When using "a parallel conversation", ensure the discussions are genuinely related to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parallel discourse

Is a more formal synonym of "a parallel conversation".

concurrent discussion

Focuses on the timing of the discussion, emphasizing that it happens at the same time.

simultaneous exchange

Highlights the act of exchanging ideas or information occurring at the same time.

accompanying conversation

Emphasizes that the conversation is going along with another.

related dialogue

Emphasizes the connection or relevance between two ongoing dialogues.

concomitant dialogue

Similar to concurrent but more formal, suggesting simultaneous and related dialogues.

secondary discussion

Indicates a discussion that is happening alongside a primary one, often of lesser importance.

side conversation

Suggests a more casual or informal discussion happening in addition to the main one.

alternative discourse

Highlights a different or contrasting discussion occurring at the same time.

supplementary discussion

Indicates a discussion that adds to or supports a main discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "a parallel conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "a parallel conversation" to describe discussions happening alongside each other, like "While the main meeting focused on budget issues, there was "a parallel conversation" about team dynamics happening in the corner."

What's a good substitute for "a parallel conversation"?

Alternatives include "concurrent discussion", "simultaneous exchange", or "related dialogue", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "parallel conversations" instead of "a parallel conversation"?

Yes, "parallel conversations" is correct when referring to multiple instances of simultaneous or related discussions. "A parallel conversation" refers to a singular instance.

What's the difference between "a side conversation" and "a parallel conversation"?

"A side conversation" is often more informal and less related to the main topic, while "a parallel conversation" usually addresses related themes but remains distinct from the primary discussion.