an active discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"an active discussion" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to an ongoing conversation or debate between two or more people that is addressing a particular issue. For example, "The panelists engaged in an active discussion about the effects of climate change on our local environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

They're not as willing to permit an active discussion".

The New Yorker

And now an Italian Internet site has an active discussion of the two anarchists' case.

The New York Times

"Before declaring their proposal, there should be an active discussion," he said.

The New York Times

There is an active discussion going on at Nytimes.com right now.

The New York Times

Still, under an agreement with Carlsen, the Web site remains open along with an active discussion about the book and the best way to translate it.

The New York Times

Shell's two boards are involved in an "active discussion" about whether or not they should ask other executives to leave, the executive close to the situation said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Although I'm tempted to offer the observation that if a significant portion of your site's traffic is the byproduct of flamewars, you are dancing on a burning path businesswise, or similarly that pageviews and other dated, limited metrics are a mare's nest analytics-wise, I must forbear; the benefit of a active discussion section on a website must be addressed in good earnest.

TechCrunch

And a senior law enforcement official said that discussions between investigators and Mr. Kemp were "preliminary" and routine and did not represent any active discussion of a plea bargain.

The New York Times

"This is something we've just noticed this past quarter — our traffic has gone through the roof," said Dawn Doherty, the vice president for strategic development at StreetEasy.com, a Web site that publishes detailed information on listings, sales and comparables, and plays host to an increasingly active discussion board called Talk.

The New York Times

One leadership aide told HuffPost that putting forward a budget with the lower number was "still a very active discussion" and that leadership was not "predetermining anything".

Huffington Post

Beginning with an initial set of over five million blogs, we used social network analysis to identify a highly active 'Discussion Core' of over 11,000.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an active discussion" to describe scenarios where participants are fully engaged and contributing meaningfully. This phrase emphasizes dynamism and participation.

Common error

Avoid using "an active discussion" when you mean "an effective discussion". "Active" indicates engagement, while "effective" implies the discussion achieved its objectives. Ensure the chosen adjective accurately reflects the outcome you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an active discussion" functions as a noun phrase, where "active" modifies the noun "discussion". According to Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used to describe ongoing conversations or debates. The examples show it describes events or situations involving communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an active discussion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a conversation or exchange of ideas with high levels of engagement and participation. Ludwig's AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the dynamic nature of the conversation, and avoid confusing it with terms that emphasize effectiveness or productivity. Consider related phrases like "a lively debate" or "a spirited conversation" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lively debate

Replaces "discussion" with "debate", emphasizing a more argumentative exchange.

a spirited conversation

Substitutes "active" with "spirited" and "discussion" with "conversation", highlighting the enthusiasm.

a dynamic exchange

Replaces "active discussion" with a more concise term focusing on the reciprocal aspect.

an ongoing dialogue

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the discussion by using "ongoing dialogue".

a vibrant discourse

Replaces "active" and "discussion" with more formal synonyms, suggesting an intellectual exchange.

an animated interaction

Focuses on the lively and energetic nature of the interaction.

a fruitful exchange of ideas

Highlights the positive outcome and intellectual aspect of the discussion.

a productive conversation

Emphasizes the efficiency and goal-oriented nature of the conversation.

a vigorous debate

Highlights the intensity and energy of the debate.

a collaborative discussion

Emphasizes the teamwork and shared participation in the discussion.

FAQs

What does "an active discussion" mean?

The phrase "an active discussion" refers to a conversation or exchange of ideas where participants are actively engaged, contributing, and responding to each other's points. It implies a dynamic and participatory environment.

How can I use "an active discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "an active discussion" to describe a lively exchange, such as: "The conference fostered "an active discussion" among the attendees." or "The team had "an active discussion" about the project's future."

What are some alternatives to "an active discussion"?

Alternatives to "an active discussion" include "a lively debate", "a spirited conversation", or "a dynamic exchange", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "active discussion" or "productive discussion"?

The choice between "active discussion" and "productive conversation" depends on the context. "Active discussion" emphasizes engagement and participation, while "productive conversation" suggests that the discussion led to concrete results or decisions.