are to discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are to discuss" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a planned or scheduled discussion about a specific topic. Example: "The committee members are to discuss the new policy changes during their meeting next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

WGA members are to discuss a resolution on Saturday.

The Guardian

The two politicians are to discuss the issue at a meeting on Sept. 20.

The New York Times

Euro-area finance ministers are to discuss the plan at their regular meeting next Monday.

The New York Times

The three allies are to discuss the North's recent overtures of dialogue and coordinate their approaches.

The New York Times

But before their session, aides to Mr. Gutierrez and Ms. Schwab are to discuss specific "market access" issues.

The New York Times

Lawmakers and legal scholars are to discuss the proposal on Tuesday at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

The New York Times

Participants are to discuss arrangements in Afghanistan after most foreign troops leave by the end of 2014.

The Economist

President Clinton and Prime Minister Ehud Barak are to discuss the talks Thursday in Portugal, in a meeting that was originally planned for Berlin.

The New York Times

Government and rebel leaders are to discuss a cease-fire in the war, which has claimed more than 250,000 lives since 1993.

The New York Times

The first test of this concept is the meeting scheduled for April 29, when Germany and France, along with Belgium and Luxembourg, are to discuss closer military cooperation.

The New York Times

Executives of USA Today, which is owned by Gannett, are to discuss the results of the contest on Wednesday at a breakfast at the newspaper's New York office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are to discuss" when you want to convey a sense of formality or obligation regarding a planned discussion. For example, "The board members are to discuss the quarterly report at the next meeting."

Common error

Avoid using "are to discuss" when describing past events. Instead, use "discussed" or "were discussing". For example, instead of saying "They are to discuss the matter yesterday", say "They discussed the matter yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are to discuss" functions as a semi-modal construction indicating a future event or obligation. This construction expresses a plan, arrangement, or duty to have a conversation about something. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI analysis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are to discuss" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a planned or scheduled future discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and frequently used across various contexts. While suitable for formal and neutral registers, it may sound slightly stiff in informal settings where alternatives like "are going to discuss" or "will discuss" are more appropriate. As demonstrated by the wide range of examples provided by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly found in News & Media and scientific publications, emphasizing its role in announcing or confirming future deliberations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are scheduled to discuss

Emphasizes the planned or arranged nature of the discussion.

are set to discuss

Stresses the readiness and imminence of the discussion.

are planning to discuss

Highlights the intention and preparation for the discussion.

will be discussing

Focuses on the future act of discussing, often in a more conversational tone.

are going to discuss

A more informal way to express a future discussion.

intend to discuss

Highlights the purpose and resolve behind the discussion.

aim to discuss

Implies that the discussion serves a specific objective or goal.

expect to discuss

Suggests anticipation and expectation of a discussion taking place.

propose to discuss

Indicates an offering or suggestion to hold a discussion.

have scheduled discussions

Focuses on multiple discussions that have been planned.

FAQs

How can I use "are to discuss" in a sentence?

Use "are to discuss" to indicate a planned or scheduled discussion. For example, "The committee members "are to discuss" the budget at the next meeting".

What phrases are similar to "are to discuss"?

Similar phrases include "are scheduled to discuss", "are planning to discuss", or "will be discussing" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "are to discuss" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "are to discuss" is more formal. In informal writing, consider using alternatives like "are going to discuss" or "will discuss".

What is the difference between "are to discuss" and "will discuss"?

"Are to discuss" often implies a scheduled or obligatory discussion, while "will discuss" simply indicates a future discussion.