a serious discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a conversation that is important, thoughtful, or involves significant topics. Example: "We need to have a serious discussion about the future of our project and the challenges we are facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wherever you find Forbes discussing mutual funds, you are like to see a serious discussion of costs.

Forbes

Wherever you find Forbes discussing mutual funds, you are likely to see a serious discussion of costs.

Forbes

"This is not a serious discussion.

The New York Times

"I think we need a serious discussion on these issues".

The New York Times

We need to have a serious discussion about this.

The Guardian

He called for a "serious discussion" at the September meeting.

The New York Times

But I suspect you were not actually inviting me into a serious discussion of reality television.

The New York Times

He said he hoped for a serious discussion about the nation's problems.

The New York Times

Resistance among seniors to even engage in a serious discussion about entitlements makes reform poltically difficult.

The Economist

So yes, let's have a serious discussion about the costs/benefits of financial innovation.

The Economist

Look, we should be having a serious discussion about America's fiscal future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a serious discussion" when you want to emphasize the importance and thoughtfulness of a conversation, especially when dealing with complex or sensitive topics. For example, "The board needs to have a serious discussion about the company's financial future."

Common error

Avoid using "a serious discussion" in casual settings. Opt for more informal alternatives like "a good chat" or "a heart-to-heart" to maintain appropriate tone and avoid sounding overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious discussion" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig highlights numerous examples where this phrase is used to introduce a conversation about important or complex topics. The structure indicates an intent to address something of considerable weight.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a serious discussion" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies the need for a thoughtful and meaningful exchange of ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts. It's most frequently found in news media and formal business settings, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, consider the context to avoid over-formality in casual situations. Alternatives like "a meaningful conversation" or "an important deliberation" can be used to tailor the tone to the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a profound dialogue

Emphasizes the depth and impact of the conversation, using "profound" to highlight its significance.

a meaningful conversation

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation" and "serious" with "meaningful", suggesting a deeper, more personal exchange.

a weighty debate

Highlights the importance and potential controversy of the discussion, focusing on the debate aspect.

an important deliberation

Substitutes "discussion" with "deliberation" indicating a more formal and carefully considered conversation.

a crucial consultation

Suggests a formal meeting to seek advice or exchange information on a critical matter.

a significant exchange

Uses "exchange" instead of "discussion", implying a back-and-forth sharing of ideas on a weighty matter.

a fundamental inquiry

Focuses on the investigative aspect of the discussion, implying a search for basic truths or principles.

a critical analysis

Replaces the idea of a discussion with an analysis implying scrutiny and judgement of a topic.

a substantial argument

Indicates a well-supported and reasoned presentation of differing viewpoints.

an in-depth exploration

Shifts the focus to a thorough examination of a subject, rather than a direct conversation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a serious discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "a meaningful conversation", "an important deliberation", or "a profound dialogue" depending on the context.

How to use "a serious discussion" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a formal conversation about an important issue. For example, "The committee needs to have "a serious discussion" about the proposed changes."

Which is correct, "a serious discussion" or "a seriously discussion"?

"A serious discussion" is correct. "Seriously" is an adverb and doesn't fit in this context; "serious" is the adjective that correctly modifies "discussion".

What's the difference between "a serious discussion" and "a casual conversation"?

"A serious discussion" implies a formal, important conversation about a significant topic, while "a casual conversation" suggests an informal, lighthearted exchange.