by discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

"by discussing" is a perfectly acceptable phrase for written English.
You can use it whenever you need to explain that something is being accomplished by talking about it. For example: "The conflict was resolved by discussing the situation and coming to an agreement".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By discussing the little inset symbols?

The New York Times - Books

By discussing an article I wrote.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's not by discussing it in the interviews.

The New York Times - Sports

By discussing the political issues, I would think.

The New York Times

She began by discussing "Bewitched," the 1960s television show.

The New York Times - Magazine

By discussing Iraq, the EU can demonstrate its division; by discussing Israel and Palestine it can demonstrate its impotence.

The Economist

She was breaking new ground by discussing anything at all.

The New York Times

Just by discussing them, Rodríguez commits an act of bravery.

The Guardian

He begins by discussing how we perceive whole numbers.

The Guardian - Books

We shall begin by discussing CE normativity.

SEP

The chapter concludes by discussing runway components.

The Independent Airport Planning Manual

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by discussing" as part of a longer sentence, ensure that the sentence structure clearly indicates what is being achieved through the act of discussing. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "by discussing" without clearly specifying what is being discussed or what the intended outcome is. For instance, instead of writing "The issue was resolved, by discussing", write "The issue was resolved by discussing the potential solutions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by discussing" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It specifies the means or method by which an action is performed or a result is achieved. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by discussing" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase that explains how something is achieved through conversation or analysis. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly used in diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research and news reporting to business communications. When writing, it's best practice to follow up with the topic of conversation/analysis to reduce ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "through discussion" can be considered, but "by discussing" provides a clear and direct way to express the role of dialogue in reaching a specific outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through discussion

Replaces the gerund with a noun, offering a slightly more formal tone.

via conversation

Emphasizes the conversational aspect of the process.

by talking about

More informal, directly stating the act of talking.

through dialogue

Highlights the interactive exchange of ideas.

by means of debate

Implies a more structured and potentially argumentative discussion.

by consultation

Suggests seeking advice or opinions from others.

by exchanging views

Emphasizes the sharing of different perspectives.

by holding talks

Indicates formal discussions or negotiations.

by way of discourse

A more formal and academic way of saying through discussion.

through deliberations

Emphasizes a careful and thoughtful consideration of different aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "by discussing" in a sentence?

Use "by discussing" to indicate that a result or understanding is achieved through conversation. For example: "The problem was solved "by discussing the issue" in detail".

What are some alternatives to "by discussing"?

Alternatives include "through discussion", "via conversation", or "by talking about", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "by discussing"?

While grammatically correct, starting a sentence with "by discussing" may sound awkward. It's often better to rephrase the sentence for better flow. For example, instead of "By discussing the problem, we found a solution", try "We found a solution "by discussing the problem"".

What's the difference between "by discussing" and "through discussion"?

"By discussing" emphasizes the action of discussing, while ""through discussion"" emphasizes the process. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance can slightly alter the sentence's focus.