a substantial conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"a substantial conversation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a lengthy or meaningful discussion, such as a formal debate or a lengthy chat with a friend. For example, "The two sides had a substantial conversation to work out their differences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In fact, I once went over and had a substantial conversation with Gorbachev when he was early in his power.

University of California, Berkeley

Lost in all the talk about structure has been a substantial conversation about the young men and women who provide on-campus athletic entertainment.

The New York Times - Sports

But increasingly it feels more like a preference for mythology over meaningful engagement lest the symbolic importance of who Obama is – the first black president – be tainted by a substantial conversation about what he actually does.

The Guardian - Opinion

The American official said a substantial conversation had also taken place about reducing the levels of violence, a clear attempt to head off a Taliban spring offensive, which has taken a high toll on Afghan forces in the past.

The New York Times

Toward the close of the novel, when he and Luz finally have a substantial conversation, he's more blunt: "I finally got it through my head that you're a controlling, closed-off, lethally angry bitch, and nothing I do is ever going to please you".

The New York Times - Books

Talking to the parents afterward, one woman told the research team, "This is the longest time I've ever spent having a substantial conversation with my son in as long as I can remember-without any fighting". Many of the others had in the past dragged their kids to the museum kicking and screaming.

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

At Leveson, Brooks disclosed that, after briefly discussing the BSkyB bid with Cameron at a dinner in December 2010, she had a more substantial conversation with Osborne at a restaurant that month.

The Guardian

Cornerback Darrelle Revis met John Idzik, the Jets' new general manager, for the first time April 15, and a few days later, they had a more substantial conversation.

The New York Times - Sports

Swan said Australia needed a more substantial conversation about economic growth in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

The Guardian

This strengthens social bonds by affirming shared suffering or good fortune and often leads to a more substantial conversation.

Harvard Business Review

And it's a pretty substantial conversation: CBS Interactive says Chowhound had 10.2 million unique users in September.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a substantial conversation" to indicate a discussion that is not merely superficial, but delves into important or significant topics. For example, in a business setting, you might say, "We had a substantial conversation about the company's future strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial conversation" in very casual or informal settings where a simpler term like "chat" or "talk" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a degree of formality and seriousness that might sound out of place in everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial conversation" functions as a noun phrase, where "substantial" modifies the noun "conversation". As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a meaningful or lengthy discussion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial conversation" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe a meaningful and often lengthy discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media, as well as academic settings. While its use is appropriate in formal and neutral registers, it should be used judiciously in casual settings where simpler language might be more suitable. Remember to consider context and audience when choosing whether to use this phrase or opt for a more informal alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant discussion

Replaces 'conversation' with 'discussion' and 'substantial' with 'significant', implying a noteworthy exchange.

an in-depth dialogue

Uses 'dialogue' instead of 'conversation' and 'in-depth' for 'substantial', suggesting a more profound and detailed exchange.

a meaningful exchange

Focuses on the value and importance of the interaction, highlighting the positive outcome of the discussion.

a lengthy discussion

Emphasizes the duration of the conversation.

a serious discussion

Indicates that the conversation involves important or weighty matters.

a detailed conversation

Highlights the level of detail and thoroughness involved in the exchange.

a productive discussion

Stresses the positive outcome and accomplishments achieved during the conversation.

a comprehensive dialogue

Implies that the discussion covers all relevant aspects of a topic.

a considerable discussion

Uses 'considerable' as a synonym for 'substantial', implying the conversation was noteworthy.

an extensive conversation

Highlights the breadth and scope of the discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial conversation" to describe a discussion that is meaningful, lengthy, or covers important topics. For example, "The diplomats had "a substantial conversation" about the peace treaty."

What's the difference between "a substantial conversation" and "a brief chat"?

"A substantial conversation" implies a more in-depth and meaningful discussion, while "a brief chat" suggests a short, informal exchange.

What can I say instead of "a substantial conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant discussion", "an in-depth dialogue", or "a meaningful exchange" depending on the context.

Is "a substantial conversation" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "a substantial conversation" is more appropriate for formal or semi-formal writing. In casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "a good talk" or "a long chat" might be more fitting.