a passing conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a passing conversation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conversation that didn't last long or didn't go into any depth. For example, "I had a passing conversation with my neighbor, but I didn't learn much about her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It all began for me more than a decade ago, with the "mangetout moment"; a passing conversation with my editor at the Guardian about those pangs of consumer guilt that wash over us, but upon which we rarely act.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A prison informant testified that Mr. Dedge had confessed to him in a passing conversation.

The New York Times

Mr. Burke was told this would be his last year during a passing conversation with the pastor at a recent fund-raising dinner, friends say.

The New York Times

Mintz, Levin's Mr. Symons said "it's possible that I may have had a passing conversation with Kerry's staff on that but I dealt extensively with other people's staffs who were really pushing the legislation".

The New York Times

News Corp. has had, according to Rupert, a passing conversation with James Cameron about an Avatar II--but no promises!

Huffington Post

It was only brought to my attention, about two years ago, in a passing conversation with someone at the practice.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He is intimately familiar with Mr. Obama's voice, his positions and his biography, yet Mr. Steele has had only a few passing conversations with him.

The New York Times

It's a fairly effortless task to say in any number of ways that white supremacy is, well, pretty awful — in passing conversation, in a Facebook manifesto, etc. Showing up to a unity concert is easy.

Huffington Post

On his weekly LBC radio phone-in show, the deputy PM said: "Listen, Ed Balls confessed to the fact that he and I had a passing friendly conversation in the House of Commons.

BBC

There's some amiable passing conversation; the teenager says that a relative of his is in prison and asks if Tanayah knows him.

Vice

He orders sable by the pool and in passing conversation mentions the story of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing conversation" to denote a brief, often insignificant exchange of words. It's suitable when the details or impact of the conversation are minimal.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing conversation" when the dialogue had a clear impact or led to significant consequences. In such cases, opt for phrases that reflect the conversation's importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing conversation" functions as a noun phrase, where "passing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "conversation". It typically serves as the subject or object of a verb, indicating the topic being discussed or referenced. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing conversation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI, used to describe a brief and often inconsequential exchange of words. While its register is generally neutral, it finds more frequent usage in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the dialogue genuinely lacks significant impact. Alternatives such as "brief exchange" or "casual chat" can offer subtle nuances depending on the intended meaning. Remember, the key is to accurately reflect the importance – or lack thereof – of the conversation being described.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brief exchange

Emphasizes the brevity of the interaction more directly.

casual chat

Highlights the informality and relaxed nature of the conversation.

fleeting discussion

Stresses the momentary and transient aspect of the dialogue.

quick word

Focuses on the conciseness and speed of the interaction.

short dialogue

Simply indicates the limited length of the conversation.

superficial talk

Highlights the lack of depth or substance in the conversation.

chance encounter

Implies that the meeting and conversation were unplanned and coincidental.

cursory communication

Emphasizes the perfunctory and hasty nature of the communication.

incidental remark

Focuses on a single, casual comment made during an interaction.

hasty exchange

Underscores the hurried and rushed nature of the conversation.

FAQs

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

"A passing conversation" is used to describe a brief and often inconsequential exchange. For example, "I overheard "a passing conversation" on the bus about the weather".

What are some alternatives to "a passing conversation"?

Alternatives include "brief exchange", "casual chat", or "fleeting discussion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a passing conversation" formal or informal?

"A passing conversation" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards informality due to its common usage in everyday language.

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

While both refer to short exchanges, "a passing conversation" implies less depth and importance compared to "a brief discussion", which suggests a more focused and potentially meaningful interaction.