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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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a serious discussions

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a serious discussions" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "a serious discussion"? You can use "a serious discussion" when referring to a conversation that is important and requires thoughtful consideration. Example: "We need to have a serious discussion about the future of our project and the challenges we are facing."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Can you tell us, who was the first person you had a serious discussions of, like, 'If I went for this, how would it work and what would it look like?' Who was the first person you really talked to about it?

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

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

News & Media

Forbes

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

News & Media

Forbes

"This is not a serious discussion.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

We need to have a serious discussion about this.

News & Media

The Guardian

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

News & Media

The New York Times

"This is not a starting point for a serious discussion," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The Economist
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the singular form "discussion" instead of the plural "discussions" when preceded by the indefinite article "a". For example, use "a serious discussion".

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "discussions" after the article "a". The correct usage is the singular noun "discussion" to maintain grammatical accuracy. Do not make the mistake of saying "a serious discussions", instead say "a serious discussion".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

98%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a serious discussions" is intended to function as a noun phrase, describing a particular type of conversation. However, due to the incorrect pluralization of "discussions", it fails to adhere to standard English grammar. As Ludwig AI indicates, the correct form is "a serious discussion".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a serious discussions" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "a serious discussion", using the singular noun "discussion". Ludwig AI highlights this error. The phrase aims to describe an important and thoughtful conversation, generally used in neutral to formal contexts like news, business, or academic settings. Remember to use the singular form to maintain grammatical accuracy. While the intent is clear, correctness is key for effective communication. Consider alternatives like "a meaningful discussion" or "an important discussion" to convey a similar meaning.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "a serious discussions"?

The grammatically correct way to phrase this is "a serious discussion". The word "discussion" should be in the singular form when preceded by the article "a".

Can I use other adjectives instead of "serious" in "a serious discussion"?

Yes, you can! Alternatives include "a meaningful discussion", "an important discussion", or "a critical discussion", depending on the context.

Is "serious discussions" ever correct?

Yes, the plural form "serious discussions" is correct when not preceded by the indefinite article "a". For example, "We had several serious discussions about the budget" is correct.

What does "a serious discussion" imply?

It implies a conversation or exchange of ideas that is important, thoughtful, and requires careful consideration. It suggests the topic is significant and not to be taken lightly.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: