a substantial discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a substantial discussion' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an extended period of conversation, debate, or deliberation on a subject. For example, "We had a substantial discussion about the pros and cons of the proposed policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And there has to be a substantial discussion about increased revenues".

The Guardian

"Missing from the debate has been a substantial discussion and analysis about restoring the checks and balances in the Constitution" while fighting terrorism, he said.

The New York Times

Plutarch's discussion of Parmenides in Against Colotes is particularly significant in that it is a substantial discussion of the relation between his account of Being and his cosmology by an ancient author later than Aristotle that is not overtly influenced by Aristotle's own discussions.

SEP

The whole program was only an hour long, and 30 minutes per candidate wasn't enough time for anything approaching a substantial discussion of anything.

Vice

"On segments in which there was a substantial discussion of domestic education policy between Jan . 1 , 2014and Oct. 31, 2014, there were 185 guests total on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox, only 16 of whom were educators, or 9percentthe the study reads.

Huffington Post

Of the articles citing the 3,484 fMRI articles selected, 43 articles published across varied disciplines such as law or business ethics included a substantial discussion of research ethics or ELSI implications meeting our criteria.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And yet: just nine songs, four of which don't merit any substantial discussion now.

The New York Times - Magazine

7) The Results and Discussion section is actually all results without any substantial discussion.

eLife

9 50 p.m. | Updated BOSTON — Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined Rupert Murdoch, the chief of the News Corp. media company, in Boston on Tuesday night, appearing in the same city as Mitt Romney's campaign headquarters to make an economic argument for immigration reform and call for a more substantial discussion of the issue in the presidential campaign.

The New York Times

Mr. Hill said that they had "a good, substantial discussion" but that there was no breakthrough.

The New York Times

"It was a very substantial discussion going into real detail on all the areas that I have put forward," Mr Cameron said afterwards.  "There is a pathway to an agreement.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "a substantial discussion" with specific details about the topic or outcome to enhance the impact. For example, "a substantial discussion about the future of the company".

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial discussion" to describe brief or superficial conversations. This phrase implies depth and importance, so reserve it for dialogues that truly warrant the description.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial discussion" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "substantial" modifies the noun "discussion", indicating the significance or depth of the conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a substantial discussion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signifies a detailed, meaningful, and significant conversation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's best suited for formal contexts like news, academia, and professional communications, where the depth and importance of the dialogue need to be emphasized. While alternatives exist, understanding the nuances of ""a substantial discussion"" allows for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable debate

Emphasizes the depth and importance of the debate rather than just a discussion.

an in-depth conversation

Highlights the detailed and thorough nature of the conversation.

a thorough deliberation

Focuses on the careful and detailed consideration involved.

a significant exchange of views

Stresses the importance and impact of sharing different perspectives.

a comprehensive analysis

Suggests a detailed and complete examination of a topic.

an extensive dialogue

Highlights the length and breadth of the conversation.

a detailed consultation

Indicates a formal discussion with the purpose of seeking advice or information.

a meaningful conversation

Focuses on the value and impact of the conversation.

a weighty discussion

Emphasizes the importance and seriousness of the topic being discussed.

a substantive exchange

Highlights the informative and important nature of the dialogue.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial discussion" to indicate a detailed and significant conversation. For example, "The board members had "a substantial discussion" about the company's financial strategy".

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

Alternatives include "a considerable debate", "an in-depth conversation", or "a thorough deliberation", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a substantial discussion"?

Use "a substantial discussion" when you want to emphasize the depth and importance of a conversation or exchange of ideas. It's suitable for formal settings or when describing dialogues that involve detailed analysis and serious consideration.

Is "a substantial discussion" formal or informal?

"A substantial discussion" leans towards the formal side. While it can be used in various contexts, it suggests a level of seriousness and detail that is more common in professional, academic, or news settings than in casual conversation.