a profound discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

'a profound discussion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that a conversation or discussion was deep and meaningful. For example, "The meeting between the two heads of state ended with a profound discussion of the issues at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Secondly, a profound discussion on the potential relationship between resilient moduli and air voids content was performed.

Construction and Building Materials

Often, a given separation can only be achieved with an electromigration technique, which justifies a profound discussion of the strategy to follow during method development.

Capillary Electromigration Separation Methods

It became clear, relatively early on, that the conversation had mutated beyond nationalism into a profound discussion on the sort of country we want for the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

A Topology of Everyday Constellations opens the reader up for a profound discussion, initiating the process to reconsider what it means to dwell and how our physical appliances reconfigure our lives.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Watch the video above for a profound discussion of the existence of fear in governance, as well as Zukav's idea for the way "authentic power" can combat the pursuit of external power that has led to today's violence and destruction.

HuffPost

The meeting, called "A Profound Discussion of Peace and Social Change," focused less on theory and more on practicality; the swami taught exercises on how to bring inner peace to the tumultuous environments many at Homeboy know.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

We need also a more profound discussion about constructing a different kind of peace.

The Guardian - Opinion

Also valuable would have been a more profound discussion of both Bedouin history and identity politics in the Gulf.

The New York Times - Books

"The U.S. will have to have a more profound discussion on how the U.N. fits into its security objectives," Mr. Holbrooke said.

The New York Times

A facile answer to this question has been provided by Valach 86) in section 7.4 above, but a more profound discussion is given in the paper by Adams 79) described in section 7.3.

Chemical Reviews

A detailed and profound discussion of this topic was published by Angst (1980).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a profound discussion" to indicate that the conversation went beyond superficial topics and delved into important or complex ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "a profound discussion" when a simpler term like "serious conversation" would suffice. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the depth and significance of the discussion are genuinely noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a profound discussion" functions as a noun phrase, where "profound" modifies the noun "discussion". It indicates that the discussion is not superficial but rather delves into deep, meaningful, or complex topics. Ludwig examples show the phrase used in varied contexts to emphasize the depth of the conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a profound discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It signifies a conversation that is deep, meaningful, and impactful. While not extremely common, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academic settings. When using the phrase, ensure that the discussion truly warrants the descriptor "profound" to avoid overstatement. Consider alternatives like "in-depth discussion" or "meaningful exchange" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. The examples from Ludwig further illustrate the phrase's versatility and appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an in-depth discussion

Replaces "profound" with "in-depth", focusing on the thoroughness of the discussion.

a deep conversation

Substitutes "discussion" with "conversation", implying a more personal and informal exchange.

an insightful dialogue

Replaces "discussion" with "dialogue" and "profound" with "insightful" emphasizing the intelligence of the conversation.

a meaningful exchange

Replaces both "profound" and "discussion" to highlight the significance of the interaction.

a substantial conversation

Swaps "discussion" with "conversation", focusing on the amount of the exchanged information.

a serious debate

Changes "discussion" to "debate", suggesting a more formal and potentially contentious exchange.

a significant exchange

Replaces "discussion" with "exchange" and "profound" with "significant", which focuses on the importance of the interaction.

an extensive discourse

Replaces "discussion" with "discourse", suggesting a formal and elaborate exploration of a topic.

a weighty deliberation

Replaces "profound discussion" with a more formal and serious sounding alternative.

a thorough exploration

Alters the phrase to emphasize a comprehensive investigation rather than a simple discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a profound discussion" to describe a conversation that is deep, meaningful, and thought-provoking. For example, "The conference concluded with "a profound discussion" about the future of technology".

What's a good alternative to "a profound discussion"?

Alternatives include "an in-depth discussion", "a deep conversation", or "a meaningful exchange" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a profound discussion" in informal settings?

While grammatically correct, "a profound discussion" is more suited for formal or serious contexts. In informal settings, a phrase like "a deep chat" might be more appropriate.

What makes a discussion "profound"?

A "profound" discussion delves into fundamental questions, explores complex issues, and often leads to new insights or perspectives. It's a conversation that leaves a lasting impact.