discuss among

USAGE SUMMARY

"discuss among" is a valid expression in written English.
It can be used when referring to a discussion that involves multiple people. For example: "We need to discuss among ourselves what should be the next step in this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Clients should be prepared to discuss, among other things, how they get along with their parents.

The New York Times

"We're just continuing to discuss among ourselves what the implications might be".

The New York Times - Sports

You may discuss among yourselves whether those are elite quarterback numbers.

The New York Times

The British foreign secretary, William Hague, visited Syria on Thursday to discuss – among other issues – "the political situation in Lebanon".

The Guardian - Opinion

Here the pair discuss, among other moral quandaries found in the show, whether he is entitled to do so.

The Guardian

Springsteen will discuss, among many other things, how he came to write his new autobiography, "Born to Run".

The New Yorker

Next week, President Obama will meet with China's President Xi Jinping to discuss, among other things, cyber warfare.

The New Yorker

Executives from the two companies held talks to discuss, among other things, a search advertising partnership, but those talks cooled.

The New York Times - Tech

"The main point is to start a process where Iraqis can begin to discuss among themselves the shape of the government of a free Iraq," the official said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Neil Patrick Harris stopped by Letterman on Wednesday night to discuss -- among other things -- his adorable toddlers attempting to play the slots in Vegas.

Huffington Post

About a hundred first responders are meeting in Long Beach, California this week to discuss -- among other things -- the state of the nation's infrastructure.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discuss among" when you want to emphasize a collaborative conversation within a group, highlighting that the exchange of ideas is internal and shared.

Common error

Avoid using "between" instead of "among" when referring to discussions involving more than two entities. "Among" is appropriate for groups of three or more, while "between" is typically used for two.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discuss among" functions as a verb phrase indicating a communicative action within a group. It specifies that the discussion is internal to the group members. Ludwig provides various examples where this phrase is used to describe group deliberations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "discuss among" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe internal discussions within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and while not exceedingly common, it appears frequently enough in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals to be considered standard English. Remember to use "among" when referring to group discussions and avoid substituting it with "between", which is reserved for two entities. Consider alternatives like "deliberate amongst" or "confer among themselves" for a more formal tone. The phrase functions neutrally and serves to highlight collaborative exchange within a group.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate amongst

Swaps "discuss" with "deliberate", implying a more formal or thoughtful consideration, and also replaces "among" with "amongst", which is a stylistic choice.

confer among themselves

Replaces "discuss" with "confer", suggesting a formal exchange of views, and specifies the reflexive pronoun "themselves" for clarity.

exchange views among

Substitutes "discuss" with "exchange views", emphasizing the sharing of opinions within the group.

talk amongst themselves

Uses "talk" instead of "discuss", making it more informal, and employs "amongst", which is an alternative to "among".

debate among themselves

Replaces "discuss" with "debate", indicating a more argumentative or persuasive conversation within the group.

negotiate between themselves

Implies a bargaining process instead of a simple discussion by using "negotiate" and focuses on the interaction "between themselves".

have a conversation amongst

Replaces "discuss" with the more general "have a conversation" and uses "amongst", modifying the tone to be less formal.

consult with each other

Emphasizes seeking advice or information from each other, replacing "discuss" with "consult".

brainstorm as a group

Focuses on generating ideas collectively, shifting the meaning from general discussion to a creative problem-solving session.

share ideas among themselves

Highlights the sharing of thoughts and insights, modifying the focus from a general discussion to a collaborative exchange.

FAQs

How do I use "discuss among" in a sentence?

Use "discuss among" to describe a conversation happening within a group, like: "The team members need to "discuss among" themselves to reach a consensus."

What's a more formal alternative to "discuss among"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "deliberate amongst" or "confer among themselves", which suggest a more thoughtful and structured exchange of ideas.

Is it correct to say "discuss between" instead of "discuss among"?

No, "discuss between" is generally incorrect when referring to more than two entities. Use ""discuss among"" when the conversation involves a group of three or more. "Discuss between" is suitable for conversations involving only two parties.

What are some common synonyms for "discuss among"?

Synonyms include phrases like "talk amongst themselves", "exchange views among", or "debate among themselves", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.