discuss

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'discuss' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about a topic you and another person (or group) will be discussing. Example sentence: I'd like to discuss the new film we saw last night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have had discussions with publishers on that on at least two occasions, and would happily discuss it jointly with publishers and [Jarvis] so he can hear their views first hand".

The Guardian - Books

Jonathan was due to fly to Paris on Friday for a summit hosted by François Hollande, the French president, to discuss the security threat posed by Boko Haram.

The Guardian

The unanswered questions, and of course there are a few, we will continue to discuss".

The Guardian

This conference brings together best practice examples, policy leaders and industry experts to discuss the challenges facing social care providers and IT support teams.

The Guardian

We would look at German Burda [a pattern and fashion] magazine together and discuss what looked nice – and because my mum had that attitude and payed attention to fashion, I think something stayed with me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Her argument was to question why it is acceptable to discuss spending billions on HS2 to create links and work opportunities, but not on childcare.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a more fundamental difference over what to discuss and what kind of agreement will stabilise Greek finances and provide the best long term solution for the currency union.

The Guardian

The Society's two-year Commission on Taxation and Citizenship criticised Labour's reluctance to discuss taxation and proposed, among other reforms, an earmarked tax for the NHS.

The Guardian

Foreign diplomats were converging on Burma on Thursday, seeking to discuss the Asian migrant crisis which is widely believed to have its roots in the mass fleeing of the country's persecuted Rohingya minority.

The Guardian

If you have any problems with your submission, or you'd like to discuss your submission before posting, please get in touch [email protected]@theguardian.com

The Guardian

"Of course, Owen goes with our best wishes," said Easterby before adding: "We'd like to be clear that we had discussed a new contract with him, and made his representative fully aware of our willingness to discuss securing his future as a rugby professional with us.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discuss", ensure the context clarifies what is being discussed. For example, "We need to "discuss" the budget" is improved by "We need to "discuss" the budget for the upcoming quarter."

Common error

Avoid using "discuss" without specifying the subject matter. Ambiguity can confuse the reader; clearly state what's being discussed for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discuss" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object to specify the topic of conversation or deliberation. Examples from Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from casual conversation to formal negotiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "discuss" is a very common and versatile term used to describe the act of talking about a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it sees frequent usage across various contexts such as News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "discuss", clarity is key; always specify the subject matter to avoid vagueness. While alternatives like "talk about", "consider", and "deliberate" exist, "discuss" maintains a neutral formality suitable for diverse registers. Be mindful to avoid the redundant construction "discuss about", ensuring your writing remains concise and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talk about

Simple alternative emphasizing conversation.

talk over

Implies a more detailed conversation.

have a conversation about

More formal and explicit.

consider

Suggests a more thoughtful examination.

deliberate

Implies careful and lengthy consideration.

exchange views on

Highlights the sharing of different perspectives.

hash out

Informal way to say resolving something after discussion.

touch on

Means to briefly mention something.

go over

To examine something in detail.

take up

To begin to consider.

FAQs

How to use "discuss" in a sentence?

You can use "discuss" to talk about a specific topic with someone, such as "Let's "discuss" the project requirements" or "The committee will "discuss" the new proposal".

What can I say instead of "discuss"?

You can use alternatives like "talk about", "consider", or "deliberate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "discuss about" or "discuss"?

"Discuss" is correct. The word "discuss" already implies "about", so "discuss about" is redundant. For example, say "We need to "discuss" the issue", not "We need to "discuss about" the issue".

What's the difference between "discuss" and "debate"?

"Discuss" implies a general conversation or exchange of ideas, while "debate" suggests a more formal argument or contest of opposing viewpoints.