brief conversation on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brief conversation on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a short discussion about a specific topic or subject matter. Example: "We had a brief conversation on the upcoming project deadlines during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

In August, Richard Cohen wrote about the book in the Washington Post (Moisés Naím, its author, is a former editor-in-chief of the Washington Post-owned Foreign Policy magazine) as one "recommended to me by former president Bill Clinton during a brief conversation on the situation in Egypt".

The Guardian

During a brief conversation on his front porch, Mr. Milner declined to say much of anything.

The New York Times - Tech

Instead, after a brief conversation on the sidewalk, the officers let him go without a summons.

The New York Times

But during a brief conversation on the front stoop, the professor was subdued and downcast and refused to comment.

The New York Times

In a brief conversation on Wednesday, Mr. Aswany seemed horrified by a recent rumor that he planned to vote for Mr. Morsi.

The New York Times

In a brief conversation on the sidelines of the Yaroslavl forum, Vladislav Y. Surkov, the Kremlin's pre-eminent political strategist, said the decision would be made this month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Mr. Liu, in a brief conversation with Rendezvous on Thursday, said it was now "very dangerous" for mainland protesters in Hong Kong, although he himself did not feel threatened.

The New York Times

"Obviously we just got it, and it has to be evaluated by our board of directors," he said in a brief conversation by phone on Tuesday night.

The New York Times

In a brief conversation with reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Bush shied away from questions about whether the bill was constitutional, saying it was not for him to decide.

The New York Times

As Mr. Romney said Monday night, in a brief conversation with reporters on his plane, "Who knows at this early stage, but I think Michigan's a state I can win".

The New York Times

During a brief conversation with reporters on Monday, before Mr. Trump's latest comments, Mr. Romney sought to compartmentalize Mr. Trump's fund-raising prowess as separate and apart from his conspiratorial accusations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "brief conversation on", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic being discussed. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "brief conversation on" when the discussion was actually extensive or in-depth. This can mislead the reader about the nature of the exchange.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brief conversation on" functions as a noun phrase acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes the act of having a short exchange about a particular topic. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brief conversation on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a short discussion about a specific topic. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the expression is perfectly valid for written English. The analysis reveals it is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for informative writing. While there are numerous alternative phrases, such as "short discussion about" or "quick chat regarding", it's crucial to ensure the chosen phrase accurately reflects the depth and nature of the exchange. Avoiding overstatement and maintaining clarity in context are key to effectively using "brief conversation on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short discussion about

Replaces "conversation" with the more general term "discussion" and uses "about" instead of "on".

brief exchange on

Uses "exchange" to emphasize the back-and-forth nature of the conversation.

brief discussion concerning

Substitutes "on" with "concerning", which is slightly more formal.

short dialogue on

Replaces "conversation" with "dialogue", suggesting a more structured exchange.

quick chat regarding

Uses more informal terms like "chat" and "regarding" to convey a similar meaning.

short talk about

Replaces "conversation" with "talk", making it slightly less formal.

fleeting discussion on

Emphasizes the very short and transient nature of the conversation.

quick word about

Emphasizes the brevity and informality of the communication.

brief consultation regarding

Emphasizes the aspect of seeking advice or information in the "conversation".

cursory conversation regarding

Replaces "brief" with "cursory" implying superficiality and substitutes "on" with "regarding".

FAQs

How can I use "brief conversation on" in a sentence?

You can use "brief conversation on" to describe a short discussion about a specific subject. For example, "We had a "brief conversation on" the project's timeline."

What are some alternatives to "brief conversation on"?

Alternatives include "short discussion about", "quick chat regarding", or a "brief exchange on" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "brief conversation on" in formal writing?

Yes, "brief conversation on" is suitable for formal writing, but consider alternatives like "short discussion concerning" for a slightly more formal tone.

What's the difference between "brief conversation on" and "brief discussion on"?

The terms are largely interchangeable, but "discussion" may imply a slightly more structured or planned exchange than a "conversation".