be in discussion with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be in discussion with" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you are talking about two or more people talking about something important. For example, "My boss and I were in discussion about the budget for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We'll continue to be in discussion with them".

The New York Times

Julia Powles will be in discussion with the defendant in the ECJ ruling, Irish data protection commissioner Helen Dixon, on 3 November, 11am, at Web Summit, Dublin.

The Guardian - Tech

The author will be in discussion with Dean Peacock of Sonke Gender Justice at an event at Bookmarks bookshop, London, at 7pm on Thursday 2 October.

The Guardian

Representatives of Gul Agha Shirzai, the governor of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, are said to be in discussion with about 15 of the fugitives.

Independent

For skeptics wary of the partnership's bringing a commercial taint to the National's programming, Mr. Hytner was definite that he would not be in discussion with Mr. Boyett and Mr. Haber about his choices of repertory.

The New York Times

In it, Papa MassataDiack appeared to be in discussion with a Qatari contact over "parcels" to be delivered to six influential IOC members identified only by their initials at a time when it was bidding for the 2016 Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

A Disney spokeswoman said that the company was "in discussion" with all six about "Haunted High School Musical".

The New York Times

A Janus spokeswoman, Jane Ingalls, said, "We continue to be in discussions with regulators".

The New York Times

"We continue to be in discussions with his attorney to resolve remaining concerns".

The New York Times

It was also rumored to be in discussions with Snapchat.

TechCrunch

The company is understood to be be in discussions with several top VCs.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be in discussion with" to indicate ongoing conversations, rather than one-time events. For single events, consider using "spoke with" or "met with".

Common error

Avoid using "be in discussion with" when a simpler verb like "discussing" suffices. For instance, instead of "We are in discussion with the client about the proposal", use "We are discussing the proposal with the client".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be in discussion with" functions as a verbal phrase indicating an ongoing communicative exchange between two or more parties. Ludwig examples show it is used to describe negotiations, consultations, or general conversations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be in discussion with" is a versatile way to describe ongoing conversations, negotiations, or consultations. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and business communications. It's important to use this phrase to accurately convey the sense of an ongoing process. When a more concise alternative is available (such as "discussing"), it should be preferred to avoid wordiness. Remember that "be in discussion with" implies more than a one-time event, differentiating it from phrases like "spoke with" or "met with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in talks with

Replaces "discussion" with "talks", emphasizing the conversational aspect.

be negotiating with

Focuses on the negotiation aspect rather than general discussion.

be in consultation with

Suggests a more formal and advisory tone to the discussion.

be conferring with

Implies a formal exchange of views and advice.

be communicating with

Highlights the act of communication without specifying the type of interaction.

be corresponding with

Indicates communication through written exchanges.

be in contact with

Broadly refers to maintaining communication without specifying the content.

be liaising with

Implies establishing a working relationship and coordinating efforts.

be dialoguing with

Highlights a formal and structured exchange of views.

be conversing with

Focuses on the casual and informal aspect of talking.

FAQs

How can I use "be in discussion with" in a sentence?

You can use "be in discussion with" to indicate ongoing conversations or negotiations, such as, "The company is "be in discussion with" potential investors about the project's funding".

What are some alternatives to "be in discussion with"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be in talks with", "be negotiating with", or "be in consultation with".

Is it better to say "be in discussion with" or "discuss with"?

"Be in discussion with" implies an ongoing process, while "discuss with" suggests a single event. Choose the phrasing that best reflects the nature of the interaction.

What is the level of formality of the phrase "be in discussion with"?

"Be in discussion with" carries a neutral to professional tone, suitable for business, news, and formal contexts. It avoids excessive jargon while maintaining clarity.