an initial discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"an initial discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
This term can be used to describe an initial conversation between two people or groups in which they discuss a certain topic or issue. For example: "The participants in the meeting had an initial discussion about the proposal for the new project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

After an initial discussion of ecodesign principles, it discusses different types of models and algorithms, including Pareto optimality.

Eco-Friendly Innovation in Electricity Transmission and Distribution Networks

In an initial discussion, he agreed that military commissions should be an option, the officials said.

The New York Times

He said there had been an initial discussion within the bank on "stranded" fossil fuel assets.

The Guardian

On Monday we started the development, with an initial discussion about the origins of the play led by Saseen Kawzally.

The Guardian

In this aspect, an initial discussion was made on the main concepts and procedures of the clustering analysis.

Comprehensive Energy Systems

After an initial discussion, the band gave him and two other key musician-arrangers on the project, Ben Cottrell and Luke Geaney, carte blanche to reinterpret the songs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Stuart Bateman, managing director of Batemans, said he first learned of Yellow Belly when he was called by Omnipollo two months ago alerting them to the issue, and had not been contacted since a "friendly" initial discussion.

BBC

Time and space constraints prevent a more extended initial discussion.

SEP

The above definitions were explained as a part of initial discussion sessions with the respondent firms and were asked to classify their firm in one of the above category to get precise information.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Both used 'response time' as a measure from the initial discussion with the receiving facility to what they referred to as the 'first look'.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

A statement said: "Following initial discussion with Lord Bonomy, chair of the infant cremation commission, Aberdeen City Council visited a crematorium that has a high success rate in recovering ashes following the cremation of infants.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an initial discussion" to clearly indicate the beginning phase of exploring a topic or negotiating an agreement. This sets the stage for further developments or more in-depth conversations.

Common error

Don't assume that "an initial discussion" covers all necessary aspects of a topic. Make it clear that this is just the beginning, and further conversations or actions might be required to achieve a complete understanding or resolution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes the action or instance of beginning a conversation or exploration of a topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an initial discussion" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that denotes the start of a conversation or exploration of a topic. Ludwig confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts. Its function is primarily to introduce a subject and lay the groundwork for future dialogue. As such, it is appropriate for a wide range of registers, from formal business settings to informal conversations. Remember to set expectations appropriately, as "an initial discussion" is only the beginning of a process and may not cover all necessary aspects of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a preliminary conversation

Replaces "initial discussion" with "preliminary conversation", emphasizing the introductory nature of the exchange.

an opening dialogue

Substitutes "initial discussion" with "opening dialogue", highlighting a more formal and structured beginning to a conversation.

a first consultation

Replaces "initial discussion" with "first consultation", suggesting a more advisory or expert-led conversation.

a starting conversation

Replaces "initial discussion" with "starting conversation", keeping it simple and direct.

an introductory talk

Substitutes "initial discussion" with "introductory talk", framing it as a more informal and less structured exchange.

a kickoff meeting

Replaces "initial discussion" with "kickoff meeting", implying a formal meeting to launch a project or initiative.

a briefing session

Replaces "initial discussion" with "briefing session", emphasizing the delivery of essential information.

a preliminary exchange

Substitutes "initial discussion" with "preliminary exchange", stressing the back-and-forth aspect of the start of a conversation.

the onset of talks

Replaces "an initial discussion" with "the onset of talks", emphasizing the commencement of formal negotiations or deliberations.

a first glimpse into

Replaces "initial discussion" with "a first glimpse into", changing the meaning to the first impression of a subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "an initial discussion" to describe the beginning of a conversation. For example, "We had "an initial discussion" about the project goals."

What are some alternatives to "an initial discussion"?

Alternatives include "a preliminary conversation", "an opening dialogue", or "a first consultation" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "an initial discussion" and "a final decision"?

"An initial discussion" represents the beginning stage of exploring a topic, while "a final decision" signifies the conclusion of that process. They are opposite ends of a spectrum.

Is "an initial discussion" formal or informal?

The formality depends on the context. It can be used in both formal settings, like business meetings, and informal settings, like casual conversations.