an exploratory discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an exploratory discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation aimed at investigating or examining a topic in depth without a predetermined outcome. Example: "We scheduled an exploratory discussion to better understand the potential impacts of the new policy on our operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Contact us to arrange an exploratory discussion to see how your favorite stem cell system can be adapted to high-throughput discovery mode.

Columbia University

Collectively, the four contributions represent an exploratory discussion of different theoretical perspectives, in order to inform and stimulate other researchers and practitioners working in the field.

International Journal of Project Management

An executive with knowledge of Mr. Fourtou's meeting with the NBC executive described the session as nothing more than an exploratory discussion, saying that it came at Vivendi's invitation.

The New York Times

Daphne Koller, the Stanford computer science professor who is a founder of Coursera, said she thought the C.I.C. paper represented an exploratory discussion driven by anxieties about how online education would change higher education.

The New York Times

The paper also provides an exploratory discussion of mobility, security, and trust issues associated with software agents, as well as possible directions/solutions to address these issues, including the use of virtual organizations.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

This paper focuses on providing an exploratory discussion of useful steps and guidelines that prospective educators could use to capture next-generation Systems Engineering best practices for inclusion in their training and education curricula.

Procedia Computer Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Page A14 CLOSE OF MIDEAST MEETINGS The Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, said that a round of exploratory discussions with Israel under Jordanian auspices had ended.

The New York Times

It's a lot of moving pieces". Ward admitted there has been exploratory discussions over a rematch with Froch since he beat Edwin Rodriguez on points in a non-title super-middleweight fight earlier this month.

BBC

Update: GameStop issued a brief statement confirming it is in "exploratory discussions with third parties regarding a potential transaction," adding "There can be no assurance any agreement will result from these discussions.

TechCrunch

"Our firms are in exploratory discussions about a possible combination," James Rishwain, the chairman of the Pillsbury firm, and Mitch Zuklie, the chairman of Orrick, said in a joint statement on Friday.

The New York Times

Ward admitted there has been exploratory discussions over a rematch with Froch since he beat Edwin Rodriguez on points in a non-title super-middleweight fight earlier this month.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an exploratory discussion", ensure the context clearly indicates that the conversation's purpose is to explore possibilities or gather information, rather than to make definitive decisions.

Common error

Avoid treating "an exploratory discussion" as a decision-making meeting. Manage expectations by explicitly stating that the purpose is to understand the landscape, not to finalize plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an exploratory discussion" functions as a noun phrase, where "exploratory" modifies "discussion". It describes the type or purpose of the discussion, indicating its investigative nature. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an exploratory discussion" is a noun phrase used to describe a conversation intended to investigate a topic or issue in detail. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While not extremely common, the phrase is well-understood and conveys a clear sense of investigation and information gathering. When employing this phrase, make sure the context aligns with its exploratory nature, emphasizing that the purpose is to understand, not necessarily to decide. Remember that alternative phrases like "a preliminary conversation" or "a fact-finding session" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary discussion

Emphasizes the early stage of the conversation.

an initial conversation

Highlights the starting point of a dialogue.

a fact-finding discussion

Focuses on the information-gathering aspect.

a discovery-oriented conversation

Stresses the goal of uncovering new insights.

a probing discussion

Implies a more in-depth and investigative approach.

a tentative discussion

Suggests a cautious and hesitant approach.

an investigatory dialogue

Highlights the formal aspect of the inquiry.

a scoping conversation

Indicates an effort to define the scope of a problem or project.

an informal brainstorming session

Emphasizes the open generation of ideas.

a speculative conversation

Focuses on hypothetical scenarios and possibilities.

FAQs

What does "an exploratory discussion" mean?

The phrase "an exploratory discussion" refers to a conversation or meeting where the primary goal is to investigate a topic, problem, or opportunity without aiming for immediate solutions or decisions.

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

You might say, "We scheduled "an exploratory discussion" to assess the feasibility of the proposed project" or "The committee held "an exploratory discussion" to understand the challenges faced by the department."

What are some alternatives to "an exploratory discussion"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a preliminary conversation", "an initial assessment", "a scoping meeting", or "a fact-finding session" as alternatives to "an exploratory discussion".

When is it appropriate to use "an exploratory discussion"?

Use "an exploratory discussion" when you want to convey that the conversation is intended to delve into a subject to gain better insights and understanding, particularly before committing to a specific course of action. It is suitable for scenarios where the outcome is uncertain and more information is needed.