ad hoc conversations

USAGE SUMMARY

'ad hoc conversations' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to spontaneous, informal conversations among a group of people which are usually unplanned. For example: "The team was able to iron out all the details through a few ad hoc conversations".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

9cays has been in development for 6 months and they are sticking to their philosophy that there should be an easier way to group ad hoc conversations online.

TechCrunch

Aboriginal-specific therapeutic activities are embedded into program delivery via informal, ad hoc conversations or "yarns" that focus on identity, personal spirituality, an individual's connection to country, and the value of relationships.

Health & Justice

With its newly launched solution designed for small teams working remotely, QuicklyChat is trying to bring back ad hoc conversations, which are still the most valuable aspect to the in-office work environment.

TechCrunch

Staff often spoke to the researchers in the course of the observation and field notes from these ad hoc conversations are used to support contextual descriptions.

Ageing and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

For regular conference goers, this is a colloqualism to describe the ad-hoc conversations that spring up in the hallway between sessions.

TechCrunch

The training sessions were followed by periodic contact with the practice in clinical meetings, feeding back anonymised practice data on disclosure and referral to the advocacy service, and reinforcing guidance on good practice with regard to domestic violence, as well as ad hoc telephone conversations and email exchanges with clinicians about referrals or advice.

BMJ Open

Creators and audiences congregate ad hoc in meandering conversations, a common space of shared imagination and interests.

The Economist

In fact it's the way Fleep is designed to shun the walled-garden approach traditionally favoured by the enterprise, enabling participants to be added ad-hoc on a conversation-by-conversation basis — just like email — that sets it apart from many if its competitors.

TechCrunch

Unexpected patient deterioration may necessitate difficult conversations and ad hoc decision-making, contributing to significant patient and family distress [ 1].

BMC Palliative Care

Informal conversations were also held ad hoc with a number of stakeholders in various places including meetings, conferences, offices and eating places.

BMC Public Health

Some joint planning may occur for a patient treatment but typically in an ad hoc way, through informal mechanisms such as corridor conversations, and short phone calls.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing informal team interactions or brainstorming sessions, use "ad hoc conversations" to emphasize the spontaneous and unplanned nature of the discussions. This can highlight the flexibility and adaptability of the team.

Common error

Avoid using "ad hoc conversations" when you actually mean disorganized or haphazard discussions. "Ad hoc" implies a temporary or specific purpose, not necessarily a lack of structure or direction. If the conversations are chaotic and unproductive, opt for terms like 'disorganized' or 'unstructured' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ad hoc conversations" functions as a noun phrase, where "ad hoc" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "conversations". Ludwig indicates that it is a usable phrase to describe spontaneous or informal discussions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ad hoc conversations" refers to spontaneous and informal discussions, often arising without prior planning. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science, it maintains a neutral to professional register. Synonyms like "impromptu discussions" or "spontaneous chats" can be used for variety, depending on the desired tone. Ensure you're using it to convey the correct meaning and not confused with terms like 'haphazard'. Use "ad hoc conversations" to emphasize the flexible, on-the-spot nature of these discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impromptu discussions

Replaces 'ad hoc' with 'impromptu', emphasizing the unplanned nature of the conversations.

unplanned dialogues

Uses 'dialogues' instead of 'conversations', suggesting a more structured exchange, while retaining the element of being unplanned.

spontaneous chats

Replaces 'conversations' with 'chats', making it sound more casual and informal. Also, 'ad hoc' is changed to 'spontaneous'.

informal talks

Focuses on the informality of the conversations, replacing 'ad hoc' with 'informal' and 'conversations' with 'talks'.

casual exchanges

Highlights the casual nature of the interactions, using 'exchanges' instead of 'conversations'.

off-the-cuff remarks

Shifts the focus to the spontaneous nature of the speech acts within a conversation, rather than the conversation itself.

extemporaneous discussions

Uses a more formal synonym for 'ad hoc', suggesting a slightly more prepared, but still spontaneous, discussion.

on-the-spot talks

Emphasizes the immediacy and spontaneity of the talks, replacing 'ad hoc' with 'on-the-spot'.

spur-of-the-moment conversations

Highlights the sudden and unplanned nature of the conversations.

chance encounters and discussions

Broadens the phrase to include the element of unexpected meetings leading to discussions.

FAQs

How can I describe "ad hoc conversations" more formally?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "impromptu discussions" or "unplanned dialogues" to convey the same meaning with a slightly elevated register.

What's the difference between "ad hoc conversations" and scheduled meetings?

"Ad hoc conversations" are spontaneous and typically unplanned, arising as needed to address immediate issues or exchange ideas. Scheduled meetings, on the other hand, are prearranged and often have a structured agenda.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "ad hoc conversations"?

The term "ad hoc conversations" is suitable in contexts where informal, spontaneous discussions are relevant, such as describing team collaborations, brainstorming sessions, or casual exchanges of information. It fits well in both professional and academic settings.

What are some synonyms for "ad hoc" that I can use to modify "conversations"?

Instead of "ad hoc", you can use adjectives like "spontaneous", "impromptu", or "informal" to describe conversations that occur without prior planning or structure.