discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discussing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of talking about a particular topic or subject with others. Example: "We will be discussing the new project proposal in our meeting tomorrow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over at another forum discussing the same topic (some folks are busy out there) there is indeed what appears to be a Google executive posting that recent changes in were "an enforcement of our viewcount policy".

The Guardian - Tech

The UN is not the obvious forum for discussing debt restructuring: unlike the International Monetary Fund, it is not a lender of last resort with emergency cash to disburse, and doesn't have a seat around the table when countries have to go to their creditors to ask for help.

The Guardian - Business

Yet British discomfort around social class makes it hard to show that respect when discussing education.

The Guardian

"We will of course be discussing all our legal options but what we really want is to keep the issue alive," one well-placed policy maker confided.

The Guardian - Arts

At the end of the evening I heard a couple of American tourists discussing the moment.

The Guardian

Cameron has said he is "looking forward" to discussing the EU ban on Indian mango imports with the country's new prime minister.

The Guardian

The cafe is packed with young people drinking coffee and discussing, with touching Gallic intensity, film theory, Marxism and Jean-Luc Godard (his latest film has just been screened in the neighbouring cinema).

The Guardian - Film

Cardboard's opener sees Sommer discussing the finer points of gaming with Modern Family star Ty Burrell, and the pair's easy badinage does a good job of masking the fact that a podcast about board games is a pretty daft idea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Samuel, who works around the country, says he normally begins by discussing someone's background with their case worker before meeting with them to agree – the scheme is voluntary – to be their mentor.

The Guardian

Apparently consisting of a dozen intercepted conversations that took place in a Bratislava flat, Gorilla allegedly caught rightwing politicians and the owner of an influential local capital group discussing millions of euros in kickbacks from rigged privatisation sales and fixed public procurement tenders.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the wake of the Dvorkovich emails leak, the Russian parliament has been discussing legislation to make sending official information through non-governmental email services a crime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discussing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being talked about. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "discussing" without specifying the subject of the conversation. For example, instead of saying "They were discussing", specify "They were discussing the budget proposal".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discussing" is that of a present participle, often used as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "They are discussing the issue") or as a gerund functioning as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "discussing" is a versatile verb form that accurately represents the action of talking about a topic. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage in the English language. As seen in the numerous examples, its primary context is within news and media, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal situations. For enhanced clarity, always specify the topic being discussed. Consider alternatives such as "talking about" or "debating" to best fit the conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking about

This is a more general term for conveying information or ideas on a topic.

talking over

Implies a more informal conversation or brainstorming session.

debating

Suggests a formal discussion with opposing viewpoints.

conferring about

Implies consulting with someone to reach a decision.

conversing on

Suggests a formal and polite exchange of ideas.

exchanging views on

Highlights the act of sharing different perspectives.

negotiating terms of

Specifically refers to discussing and reaching an agreement on specific conditions.

presenting arguments on

Emphasizes the act of making a case or advocating for a particular position.

addressing concerns about

Focuses on talking about and resolving specific worries or issues.

analyzing aspects of

It refers to analyzing and thoroughly examining some aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "discussing" in a sentence?

You can use "discussing" to describe the act of talking about a topic. For instance, "We are discussing the project timeline" or "The committee is discussing potential solutions".

What are some alternatives to "discussing"?

Alternatives include "talking about", "debating", and "conferring about", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "discussing" and "talking about"?

While both refer to conversing on a topic, "discussing" often implies a more formal or structured conversation, while "talking about" is more general and can refer to informal conversations.

When is it appropriate to use "discussing" instead of "debating"?

"Discussing" is suitable when the aim is to explore different perspectives, while "debating" is more appropriate when there are opposing viewpoints and the goal is to argue for a specific position.