discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discussion" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a conversation between two or more people about a particular topic. For example, "The discussion focused on the potential effects of the new policy".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm sure all of those views will be discussed in cabinet and as a result of that cabinet discussion a proposal will be put to the party room".

The Guardian - Business

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The Guardian

Social media created an extra public space where a more truthful and nuanced discussion could go on – and it created an outlet for information to the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added that it would be "sensible" for the CDC to focus its attentions on the same geographical areas as government, although exact details would be up for discussion.

The Guardian

There is some discussion of what Labour should be saying about Britain in the 21st century, which is half of the right question.

The Guardian - Opinion

However, Thomas points to a lack of critical discussion and explanation of the very basis for Prevent's community work, the rationale for how some areas are selected rather than others, and a lack of transparency about the proportion of spending on combating different types of extremism.

The Guardian

Redactions marked in the text were made by the US government when Mohamedou Ould Slahi's diary was cleared for public release Listen to live and recorded readings by Brian Eno, Colin Firth and others, as well as a panel discussion with Slahi's lawyer and brother about this remarkable account of imprisonment.

The Guardian

At one stage there was even discussion about naming the BBC trust as the "Public Broadcasting Trust".

The Guardian - Opinion

Until now, discussion has centred on how Greece can lay its hands on a portion of the €7.2bn not yet disbursed under the previous bailout deal.

The Guardian

The deaths of around 1,800 people in the Mediterranean so far this year has also led to increasing discussion of how best to stem the flow of migrants from North Africa.

The Guardian

Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, who is also deputy editor of the Guardian, promised to deliver an independent perspective on Australian and world news using "digital storytelling" to spark debate and put readers at the heart of the discussion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a "discussion", consider adding adjectives such as 'in-depth', 'heated', 'productive', or 'open' to provide context and highlight its nature.

Common error

Avoid using "discussion" repetitively without providing context. Vary your language by incorporating synonyms such as "conversation", "debate", or "dialogue" for clearer and more engaging writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discussion" is as a noun, referring to the act of talking about something with another person or people. Ludwig provides examples of its use in various sentence structures, confirming its role as a central element in conveying conversational exchanges.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discussion" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of exchanging ideas, information, or opinions. According to Ludwig, its usage is grammatically correct and very common, especially within news and media contexts. The phrase carries a generally neutral tone, leaning towards professional or formal in business settings. To enhance your writing, consider using specific adjectives to describe the nature of the "discussion" and diversify your vocabulary by incorporating synonyms like "conversation" or "debate" when appropriate. This ensures clarity and avoids repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversation

Emphasizes an informal exchange of thoughts and ideas.

debate

Suggests a more formal and structured argument or exchange of views.

dialogue

Implies a more collaborative and constructive exchange.

consultation

Highlights the act of seeking advice or information from others.

exchange

Focuses on the reciprocal giving and receiving of information or ideas.

conference

Refers to a formal meeting for discussion or exchange of views.

negotiation

Implies a discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.

argument

Indicates a potentially heated or contentious discussion.

meeting

General term for an assembly of people, often involving discussion.

talk

Informal term for a conversation or discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "discussion" to describe a conversation about a particular topic. For example: "The panel "discussion" was insightful." or "We had a long "discussion" about the budget."

What can I say instead of "discussion"?

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

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

"Discussion" is a general term for exchanging ideas, while "debate" implies a more formal argument with opposing viewpoints.

Which is correct: "a discussion about" or "a discussion on"?

Both "a discussion about" and "a discussion on" are acceptable, but "a discussion about" is generally more common in contemporary English.