a very good discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a very good discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation or dialogue that was insightful, engaging, or productive. Example: "After the meeting, I felt that we had a very good discussion about the project's future direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"We had a very good discussion.

The New York Times - Sports

"It was a very good discussion," Mr. Zogby said.

The New York Times

"I've met with Tim Pawlenty, and we had a very good discussion.

The New York Times

It wouldn't have been my first choice but in actual fact it was a very good discussion.

The Guardian

She and I sat down in her office with her team and we had a very good discussion about transport policies and we agreed a programme of activities.

The Guardian

"It was a very good discussion, but at this point, we're headed to votes" that will probably trigger the change, said Senator Tom Udall, Democrat of New Mexico and a leading advocate of weakening the filibuster.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Another participant mentioned that the situation is different between the two years of the study: "In the 5 th year, there is very good discussion in the class and the students participate actively in the class; while in the 4 th year, the students are passive and do not take part in classroom discussion especially the first group of students.

BMC Medical Education

"In the 5 th year, there is very good discussion in the class and the students participate actively in the class; while in the 4 th year, the students are passive and do not take part in classroom discussion especially the first group of students.

BMC Medical Education

Philosophy has produced a very good foundational discussion of this sense of information, in Dretske (1981).

SEP

Some critics of the movie have wished for more focus on Lincoln's personal existential journey to abolishing slavery (see a very good roundtable discussion here), but this is not a biopic of an individual but of a nation.

Huffington Post

Greece's finance minister Yanis Varoufakis struck an upbeat note, saying hours of emergency talks in Brussels had produced "very good discussions".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a meeting or interaction, use "a very good discussion" to convey that the exchange was not only pleasant but also yielded positive results or insights.

Common error

Avoid using "a very good discussion" as a generic placeholder. Be specific about what made the discussion "good". For example, mention the key topics covered or the decisions reached.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a very good discussion" functions as a noun phrase that describes a communicative exchange. It typically acts as the object of a verb (e.g., "had a discussion") or as a complement to a noun (e.g., "the outcome of the discussion"). As Ludwig AI highlights, it describes an insightful, engaging or productive interaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a very good discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a positive and productive conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a range of contexts, from news reports to business meetings. While it's generally appropriate, it's best practice to be specific about what made the discussion "good" and to avoid overusing the phrase as a generic placeholder. Consider alternatives like "productive conversation" or "insightful exchange" for variety and precision. Its neutral register and clear meaning make it a versatile phrase for conveying satisfaction with an exchange of ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a productive conversation

Focuses on the outcome and usefulness of the exchange.

a fruitful dialogue

Emphasizes the positive results and benefits derived from the exchange.

an insightful exchange

Highlights the depth and understanding gained from the interaction.

a valuable discourse

Stresses the importance and significance of the conversation.

a meaningful conversation

Focuses on the depth and importance of the topics covered.

a constructive dialogue

Highlights the positive and helpful nature of the exchange.

an excellent exchange of ideas

Emphasizes the quality of the ideas shared and the interaction itself.

a substantive conversation

Indicates that the conversation dealt with important and relevant topics.

a thorough exploration of ideas

Emphasizes the comprehensive and in-depth nature of the discussion.

an enlightening conversation

Highlights that the conversation provided clarity and new understanding.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a very good discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "a productive conversation", "a fruitful dialogue", or "an insightful exchange" depending on the context.

How can I use "a very good discussion" in a sentence?

You might say, "We had "a very good discussion" about the new marketing strategy," or "The team engaged in "a very good discussion" regarding the project's challenges."

Is "a very good discussion" formal or informal?

The phrase "a very good discussion" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, consider alternatives like "a valuable discourse" for added sophistication.

What's the difference between "a good discussion" and "a very good discussion"?

Adding "very" emphasizes the high quality and positive nature of the discussion. While "a good discussion" is generally positive, "a very good discussion" suggests it was particularly productive, insightful, or beneficial.