conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an exchange of thoughts, opinions, ideas, and feelings between two or more people. Example sentence: We had a lengthy conversation about the future of the company last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Business

Culture

Music

Tech

Lifestyle

Film

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"In my normal way, I probably would have said, 'I'll look into it.' " Costa said Obeid began to lobby him about AWH within a month of him becoming a minister and he had a conversation with Obeid in which Obeid suggested a corruption complaint may be made against Schott.

The Guardian

The purpose of this project was to start a conversation with young people and engage them in making something – we now have nearly 50,000 of them to date.

The Guardian

In conversation with Osborne he portrayed cities not as outdated rust-buckets but as engines of growth.

The Guardian

I remember having a conversation with Yvette Cooper's adviser, in which he was asking how much we would save from liberating women who had been trafficked.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One was the sense, expressed by poet, actor and playwright Warsama, that the current media conversation was almost entirely one way.

The Guardian

There is also a telephone to which only the band's ex-members have the number: if it rings and a museum-goer picks it up, they will find themselves in the disconcerting position of holding a conversation with one of Abba while standing in front of a vast floor-to ceiling photograph of Abba.

The Guardian - Music

Nobody has that sort of conversation after the launch of Debenhams' autumn knitwear range.

The Guardian - Arts

One of the first people to respond later released a statement on Facebook calling the project "digital rape" because he hadn't known the conversation would be broadcast.

The Guardian - Arts

"It's a crucial part of the vision of the institution even to be a little bit disputatious in a way, and that's something we're actively trying to seek, not as a way of shocking people for no good reason, but to encourage conversation".

The Guardian - Arts

Help the Australian public continue to join the national conversation.

The Guardian

In Britain, it looks set to begin a conversation which has been long overdue, addressing directly the question of what the surveillance agencies can and can't do.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conversation" to describe an informal exchange between people. For more formal contexts, consider "discussion" or "dialogue".

Common error

Avoid using "conversation" in formal reports or academic papers when a more precise term like "analysis", "discussion", or "examination" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conversation" is as a noun, referring to the exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings between two or more people. Ludwig examples show it used in varied sentence structures, consistent with its function as a noun.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Arts

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Business

8%

Culture

7%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "conversation" is a versatile noun denoting an exchange of thoughts, ideas, or feelings. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It's frequently encountered in News & Media, Arts, and Opinion pieces. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "dialogue" or "discussion" may be preferable in academic or professional writing. Ludwig's examples showcase diverse applications, emphasizing its role in describing interactions and fostering understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dialogue

Focuses on a more structured and formal exchange, often between two parties.

discussion

Implies a more in-depth and often planned exchange of ideas.

talk

A simple, general term for an exchange of words.

chat

Suggests a more casual and informal exchange.

interchange

Highlights the reciprocal exchange of information or ideas.

exchange of views

Highlights the sharing of opinions or perspectives.

consultation

Emphasizes seeking advice or information from someone.

conference

Indicates a formal meeting for discussion or exchange of views.

negotiation

Implies a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

powwow

Suggests an informal meeting for discussion or deliberation.

FAQs

How can I use "conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "conversation" to describe an exchange of ideas or thoughts between two or more people. For example, "We had a meaningful conversation about our future goals."

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

"Conversation" is typically more informal and less structured, while a "discussion" is often more focused and purposeful.

What are some alternatives to "conversation"?

Alternatives include "dialogue", "chat", "talk", and "exchange of views", depending on the context.

Is "conversation" appropriate for formal writing?

While "conversation" is generally acceptable, more formal terms like "dialogue" or "discussion" might be more suitable for academic or professional contexts.