contrived conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contrived conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a dialogue that feels forced, artificial, or lacking in authenticity, often in a literary or critical context. Example: "The film's contrived conversation between the main characters detracted from the overall realism of the story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A comparably narrow definition of "interrogation" was embraced by the court in Rhode Island v. Innis (1980), in which a 6 3 majority held that a contrived conversation between police officers conducted in the presence of a suspect and intended to elicit incriminating statements from him did not constitute an interrogation that would require adherence to Miranda.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Because her books address big ideas, her characters tend to sit around and have contrived conversations about theories.

The Guardian - Books

However, the crown alleged Droudis was willing to do Monis's bidding and said she engaged in multiple "contrived conversations" with him designed to mislead police in their investigations.

The Guardian

Because he's a hell of a storyteller, I forgive Len Deighton his irritating habit of supplying backstory through contrived conversations starting, "Remember when we…?" Out of several books set in Berlin, Berlin Game is one of his most compelling.

The Guardian - Books

(Media people are obsessed with ratings; modern politicians are opportunistic; people get falling-down drunk at Oktoberfest. Imagine!) More seriously, very little actually happens for ages beyond a multitude of contrived conversations in which the party who isn't Adolf Hitler marvels at Hitler's ability to stay in character, while Hitler himself is, well, Hitler.

The Guardian - Books

He praised Dexter's flashbacks and Dexter and Debra's storylines, though he said that Doakes' following Dexter was "ridiculous" and that LaGuerta's overhearing Lt. Esmee Pascal's private conversation was "a bit contrived".

Wikipedia

Some conversations can sound horribly contrived as a result.

The Guardian - Books

Don't look contrived in your efforts to strike up conversation.

WikiHow

The adult Henry's conversations with his daughter are similarly contrived.

The New Yorker

This suggests that his accounts of lengthy conversations with Venetians may be somewhat contrived, if that does not sound too cynical.Mr Berendt writes: "I knew in Venice I had been told truths, half-truths, and outright lies, and I was never entirely sure which was which".

The Economist

Conversations, while earnest and free flowing, are contrived, not dissimilar to monologues from a Don DeLillo novel or a Jim Jarmusch film.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "contrived conversation" to critique fiction or real-life interactions where the dialogue feels artificial or forced. It is particularly effective when analyzing writing, film, or interpersonal dynamics.

Common error

Avoid using "contrived conversation" to describe simple disagreements or everyday banter. The phrase is best reserved for situations where artificiality is a key aspect of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contrived conversation" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. The adjective "contrived" describes the noun "conversation", indicating that the conversation is artificial or deliberately planned. As stated by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contrived conversation" describes a dialogue that feels artificial or forced, and is considered grammatically correct. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, the phrase appears in various reputable sources, particularly in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Wiki. When writing, it's best to use this term when you want to critique or analyze interactions characterized by their artificiality. Alternatives such as "artificial dialogue" or "forced exchange" can provide similar nuances. The expert rating reflects the phrase's correctness, source authority, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contrived dialogue

Synonymous, but emphasizes the deliberate planning involved.

artificial dialogue

Emphasizes the lack of naturalness in the conversation.

forced exchange

Highlights the unnatural and strained nature of the interaction.

stilted discussion

Suggests a conversation that is overly formal and unnatural.

insincere dialogue

Focuses on the lack of genuine feeling in the conversation.

manufactured discussion

Highlights the artificial construction of the conversation.

staged conversation

Highlights the artificial setting and deliberate orchestration of the conversation.

fabricated exchange

Suggests that the conversation was completely made up or invented.

unnatural discourse

Emphasizes the lack of spontaneity in the conversation.

invented exchange

Suggests the conversation is not based in reality.

FAQs

How can I use "contrived conversation" in a sentence?

You might say, "The play was marred by "contrived conversation" that did not ring true" or "The characters engaged in a "contrived conversation" solely to advance the plot."

What are some alternatives to "contrived conversation"?

Consider using "artificial dialogue", "forced exchange", or "stilted discussion" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "contrived conversation" a negative term?

Yes, "contrived conversation" generally carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the dialogue is unnatural, forced, and lacking in authenticity. It implies a lack of genuine connection or spontaneity.

What makes a conversation "contrived"?

A conversation is considered "contrived" when it feels planned or artificial, lacks spontaneity, and doesn't reflect natural human interaction. It may be used to convey information awkwardly, advance a plot unnaturally, or showcase a writer's cleverness at the expense of realism.