as they discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they discussed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation or dialogue that has taken place between individuals, often to introduce a point or detail that was part of that discussion. Example: "As they discussed the project timeline, it became clear that adjustments were necessary to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

I'd listen as they discussed a venue, a pastry chef and florist.

Huffington Post

He regained his composure as they discussed their passion for their work.

The New York Times

There was an early queue for the loo as they discussed jacket colours and transatlantic conferences.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pasternak rode in circles on his hoverboard as they discussed a new feature.

The New Yorker

As they discussed it again on Aug. 9, Mr. Zhao grew agitated.

The New York Times - Health

As they discussed yesterday morning, the crush of pressure on LeBron is unbelievable.

The New York Times - Sports

But today the ministers joked and laughed as they discussed the pipeline and considered other projects.

The New York Times

But as they discussed this issue, again, she was more impressed with the vice president.

The New York Times

And in the park's center, people milled about as they discussed what might come next.

The New York Times

On two occasions their wives were present as they discussed the former policeman's charity, Convoy 2000.

Independent

As they discussed it, Mr. Cherry struck her head with his open right hand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as they discussed", ensure the subject of the discussion is clear to the reader, either explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text.

Common error

Avoid starting a sentence with "as they discussed" if the reader has no prior knowledge of who 'they' are or what 'they' discussed. Provide sufficient context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they discussed" functions as a subordinating conjunction introducing a clause that provides context or background information. It indicates that the action in the main clause is related to, or a result of, a previous discussion. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is commonly used and grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they discussed" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to provide context by referencing a prior conversation or deliberation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, particularly within news and media. While alternatives such as "during their discussion" or "while they were discussing" exist, "as they discussed" offers a concise way to introduce background information, enhancing the reader's understanding of subsequent events. Just ensure that the context of who 'they' are and what 'they' discussed is apparent to the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their discussion

Replaces "as" with "during", focusing on the time frame of the discussion.

while they were discussing

Adds "were" for a more continuous and descriptive feel, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the conversation.

in their conversation

Focuses on the interaction itself, replacing "discussed" with the broader term "conversation".

as they talked about

Uses "talked about" as a more informal substitute for "discussed".

during their deliberations

Replaces "discussion" with the more formal "deliberations", suggesting a careful and considered conversation.

when they conferred about

Employs "conferred" indicating a formal and somewhat official tone, different from the neutrality of the original phrase.

as they consulted on

Replaces "discussed" with "consulted", suggesting a seeking of advice or expert opinion.

in the course of their conversation

Adds length for emphasis, focusing the attention in the context of their conversation.

while in dialogue regarding

More elaborate and formal, replacing "discussion" with "dialogue regarding".

as they were in conference concerning

Highly formal and specific, suggesting a structured meeting or conference.

FAQs

How can I use "as they discussed" in a sentence?

You can use "as they discussed" to introduce information that was brought up or decided upon during a conversation or meeting. For example, "As they discussed the budget, they agreed on several key adjustments."

What are some alternatives to "as they discussed"?

Alternatives include "during their discussion", "while they were discussing", or "in their conversation", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "as they discussed"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct, but ensure the reader understands the context. It functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides background information.

What's the difference between "as they discussed" and "while they were discussing"?

"As they discussed" implies a more concise reference to a past conversation, while "while they were discussing" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the discussion at a specific point in time.