conversation was held between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conversation was held between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion or dialogue that took place between two or more parties. Example: "A conversation was held between the two leaders to discuss the terms of the agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The conversation was held between the colonel, 38, and his family as they watched the flight from the Beijing Aerospace Control Center.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Many side conversations were held between members of every possible combination of party and chamber.

The New York Times

In the opening weekend of the Biennial a temporary dome was erected, under which conversations were held between locals and professionals about the future direction of the park.

The Guardian - Arts

When claims against Ball were made in 1993, conversations were held between police, prosecutors and the church before it was decided to caution the bishop rather than charge him.

The Guardian

I think so much could be done if there were more conversations being held between those two worlds.

TechCrunch

All conversations were held between May and July 2011 and conducted in German, consistently by the same interviewer (SS; trained in qualitative methods).

BMC Medical Ethics

In Tottenham, the conversation was held in partnership with a citizens' inquiry.

The Guardian

Television, though, is where our national conversation is held.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The conversation is held about the expected board gift".

Forbes

Imaginary conversation that is held between former Queen's English mother who is telling her what a mistake she made in marrying Alfonso, a Spaniard instead of a nice English boy, that he lies in bed and doesn't work, etc.

The New Yorker

Whether these conversations are held one-on-one between managers and employees or administered through a more in-depth survey, this step of the process should be a two-way loop of feedback between leadership and the broader organization.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "conversation was held between", ensure that the parties involved are clearly identified to provide context and clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice constructions like "conversation was held between" can make writing sound indirect. Consider using active voice when appropriate to create more engaging sentences. For example, instead of "A conversation was held between the managers," try "The managers had a conversation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conversation was held between" functions as a descriptor of an event, specifically a communicative exchange. It indicates that a dialogue or discussion took place involving two or more parties. As noted by Ludwig AI, the structure uses passive voice.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "conversation was held between" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that a dialogue or discussion took place between two or more parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, its structure employs the passive voice. While versatile, it is crucial to consider the level of formality and context when choosing this phrase. For a more direct style, active alternatives like "they discussed" may be preferable. The phrase appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts, as well as a number of authoritative sources, including The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a discussion took place between

Replaces "conversation" with the more formal term "discussion", changing the overall tone slightly.

dialogue occurred between

Substitutes "conversation" with "dialogue" and "was held" with "occurred", offering a more formal and less common phrasing.

talks were conducted between

Uses "talks" instead of "conversation" and "conducted" instead of "held", which implies a more structured interaction.

an exchange occurred between

Replaces "conversation" with "exchange", highlighting the reciprocal nature of the interaction.

parties engaged in conversation

Rephrases the sentence to emphasize the active participation of the parties involved.

there was communication between

This focuses on the act of communication, making it less specific than a conversation.

they had a discussion

Simplifies the phrasing to a more direct and active voice.

individuals conversed

Uses a more concise and formal verb to describe the interaction.

a meeting was held where they talked

Expands the sentence to describe the setting and action of the conversation.

interaction took place

Uses the general term "interaction" to replace "conversation", making it less specific.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "conversation was held between" to sound more active?

You can use alternatives like "they discussed", "they conversed", or "they had a discussion" for a more direct and active voice.

Is it better to use "conversation was held with" or "conversation was held between"?

"Conversation was held with" is used when one party leads the conversation, whereas "conversation was held between" implies a more mutual exchange. The choice depends on the specific context of the interaction.

What's the difference between "a conversation occurred" and "a conversation was held"?

"A conversation occurred" simply states that a conversation happened, while "a conversation was held" implies a more formal or organized setting for the conversation.

Can I use "discussion" instead of "conversation" in "conversation was held between"?

Yes, you can use "discussion" as a more formal alternative. For example, "a discussion took place between" is a suitable substitute.