discourse

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discourse" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a discussion, written or spoken, about a particular topic. For example, "We had a lively discourse about the effects of global warming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ruling effectively enlisted Google into partnership with European states in striking a balance between individual privacy and public discourse interests.

The Guardian - Tech

The vast majority of these decisions face no public scrutiny, though they shape public discourse.

The Guardian - Tech

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 11.30pm BST23 30 Sean Penn and Kid Rock have made a mini-movie calling for civility in political discourse and fellowship across the partisan divide.

The Guardian

After 9/11 he sometimes wrapped up fervent support for Blair-Bush crusades in the modern parlance of liberal interventionism, and sometimes lapsed into an older discourse.

The Guardian

Internet trolling might seem like an issue that only affects a certain subset of people, but that's only true if you believe that living in a world devoid of diverse voices – public discourse shaped primarily by white, heterosexual, able-bodied men – wouldn't profoundly affect your life.

The Guardian

The physical and mental state of politicians was a keenly-debated issue at Hay this weekend, as alienation continues to define the political discourse.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This discourse shows that Armenian identity is still alive," he said.

The Guardian

Through discussions, debates, interviews, speeches, seminars and festivals, readers are given an opportunity to interact with the speakers and contribute to the public discourse on a wide range of topics that impact the world around them.

The Guardian

From their work, and those of other experienced interrogators who attempted to get the US out of the torture business, a broad narrative has emerged in the American discourse about torture: law-enforcement interrogation methods are humane and effective, while military or CIA methods are brutal and futile.

The Guardian

The public-spirited legacy promised could have gone ahead only if the concept of the "public good" retained some meaning in today's political discourse.

The Guardian - Opinion

To Dacre, the BBC is a "closed thought system operating a kind of Orwellian Newspeak … perverting political discourse and disenfranchising countless millions".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discourse" to refer to a sustained and structured exchange of ideas, whether spoken or written. It's more formal than "conversation" and implies a deeper level of engagement with a topic.

Common error

Avoid using "discourse" in casual settings where simpler words like "conversation" or "discussion" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discourse" is as a noun, referring to a verbal exchange, conversation, or a formal lengthy exposition. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it functions as a noun, often modified by adjectives like "public", "political", or "academic".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "discourse" is a common and grammatically correct noun used to describe formal discussions or exchanges of ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's prevalent in news, academic, and business contexts. While versatile, it’s important to be mindful of the formality level and avoid overuse in casual conversations. Alternatives like ""discussion"", "conversation", and "dialogue" can provide more suitable options for informal settings. When writing or speaking, using the word "discourse" indicates an elevated context, for examples, if you want to refer to the political discourse of the actual days.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussion

Highlights a more general exchange of views on a topic.

dialogue

Emphasizes a structured exchange, often with the aim of reaching understanding or agreement.

conversation

Focuses on the informal, interactive exchange of ideas.

exchange

Highlights the reciprocal nature of sharing ideas or information.

debate

Implies a more formal and often adversarial exchange of arguments.

communication

Broadly refers to the transmission of information or ideas.

talk

A general term for spoken communication.

address

Implies a formal speech or presentation to an audience.

dissertation

Signifies a lengthy, formal written treatment of a subject.

sermon

Refers to a formal speech on a religious or moral topic.

FAQs

How to use "discourse" in a sentence?

You can use "discourse" to refer to a formal discussion or conversation. For example, "The conference featured a lively "discussion" on climate change policy", or "Her writing contributed significantly to the academic "debate" on postmodernism".

What can I say instead of "discourse"?

You can use alternatives like "conversation", ""discussion"", "dialogue", or ""debate"" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "discourse" and "dialogue"?

"Discourse" refers to any form of verbal exchange or expression, while "dialogue" specifically implies a reciprocal conversation between two or more people, often with the goal of reaching understanding or agreement.

Is "discourse" formal or informal language?

"Discourse" is generally considered a more formal term. In informal contexts, simpler words like "conversation" or "talk" may be more appropriate.