amenable to discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amenable to discussion" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that is open for discussion. For example: "This subject is amenable to discussion, but I think we should be careful and thoughtful when approaching it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We have to decide whether those areas are amenable to discussion.

The New York Times

Roy Aranda, who teaches a course on psychology and the law at Hofstra, said, "Rather than immediately pushing panic buttons all over the place, the school district should have set up some additional structures to make this more amenable to discussion".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But the presidential debate commission has said it would be amenable to discussions on format once everyone agrees to participate in the debates themselves.

The New York Times

There were more editorials and brief communications in the internal medicine journals formats that are more amenable to discussions of bioethical or social issues.

BMC Medical Ethics

It could also serve to establish a diverse, robust, and multistakeholder public private partnership source of counterfeit medicines information that would be more amenable to discussions for improving global health governance for counterfeit medicines that are ongoing within the international community.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Higher scores on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory may indicate a patient is more likely to respond to the treatment, particularly if the findings are within the domains most amenable to treatment with neuroleptic medication (see discussion below) [ 56].

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

Heroin addiction is particularly amenable to treatment.

The New York Times

For whatever reason, they're more amenable to this discussion.

Science Magazine

Although group counselling for some topics such as danger signs in pregnancy, labour, delivery and postpartum may be an option, other topics such as birth plans may not be amenable to group discussion.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

But people in nuclear communities understand the need for geological disposal and are much more amenable to having a discussion".

The Guardian

When Germany, the USSR, and the Western powers negotiated German unification in 1990, all parties appeared amenable to ambiguity in the discussion of future alliance politics.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "amenable to discussion" when you want to indicate that a topic or idea is appropriate and welcome for conversation or debate. It suggests a willingness to consider different perspectives and engage in a productive exchange of ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "amenable to discussion" when referring to topics that are sensitive, require immediate action, or are non-negotiable. The phrase implies openness and flexibility, which may be unsuitable in situations where a firm stance or decision is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amenable to discussion" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that the noun is open or suitable for discussion. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, from business to education, suggesting its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "amenable to discussion" signifies that something is open to being discussed or debated. While Ludwig identified it as grammatically correct, its frequency is rare. It finds use across various contexts, notably in news, science, and academia, indicating its professional application. Related phrases include "open to discussion" and "receptive to discussion", offering alternative ways to express the same idea. Use it to indicate that a topic is fit for conversation, but be cautious about using it in sensitive contexts requiring decisive action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

open to discussion

Direct synonym, emphasizing willingness to engage in conversation.

receptive to discussion

Highlights a positive attitude towards engaging in conversation.

conducive to discussion

Focuses on the environment or conditions being favorable for conversation.

subject to discussion

Indicates that something is on the table and can be discussed.

amenable to dialogue

Synonymous, but emphasizes a more structured or formal conversation.

prepared to discuss

Highlights readiness to engage in conversation, often after some preparation.

responsive to dialogue

Emphasizes active listening and thoughtful consideration during the discussion.

inclined to discuss

Suggests a leaning or predisposition toward engaging in conversation.

open to suggestions

Implies a willingness to consider new ideas or proposals.

willing to negotiate

Implies readiness to compromise and find a mutually acceptable agreement through discussion.

FAQs

What does "amenable to discussion" mean?

The phrase "amenable to discussion" means that a topic, idea, or situation is suitable or open for discussion, conversation, or debate. It implies a willingness to consider different perspectives and engage in a productive exchange of ideas.

What are some alternatives to "amenable to discussion"?

You can use alternatives such as "open to discussion", "receptive to discussion", or "conducive to discussion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "amenable to discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "amenable to discussion" to indicate that a particular subject is open for conversation. For example, "The proposed changes to the policy are amenable to discussion at the next meeting."

Is "amenable to discussion" formal or informal?

"Amenable to discussion" is generally considered to be a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's appropriate for professional, academic, and news contexts, but might sound somewhat stilted in very informal conversations.