discussion towards

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase "discussion towards" is not a very common phrase in standard written English.
It might be used as a less formal alternative to phrases like "discussion about," "discussion concerning," or "discussion regarding." For example, "We had a productive discussion towards finding a solution to the problem."

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Amalgamated audit results from the group were discussed and used to tailor discussion towards specific aspects of acute asthma care identified as falling short of guideline standards.

BMC Family Practice

Others argue that parents are bound to steer discussion towards issues that affect their own children.

The Guardian

I still have to manoeuvre the discussion towards familiar vocabulary, but we start to have something that resembles a conversation.

The Guardian

A dismissive comment about sleeping problems catches her attention, and she gently steers the discussion towards this.

The Guardian

He was generous with his time in participating in conferences and seminars, always contributing in a positive but low-key way, nudging discussion towards practical and constructive conclusions.

The Guardian

Only an illustrious winner, and Oakmont has a history of precisely that, will return discussion towards that of more routine major matters.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

In a round table discussion entitled "Towards a Safer Environment for Egyptian Girls," experts highlighted inequities and challenges that affect the rights, development, and empowerment of Egyptian girls.

Unicef

10 11 Studies have shown that for M&M meetings to facilitate improvement and be more than a forum for peer review, they need to be structured and systematic in reviewing and discussing deaths, directing discussions towards improving system and process variations.

BMJ Quality and Safety

all contributed to, and took part in writing and discussions towards, the finalization of the manuscript.

Nature

Z.R., P.D. and J.O.F wrote the manuscript, and all authors took part in discussions towards the finalization of the manuscript.

Nature

Employed successfully, it helped shift the weight in decision-making discussions towards short-term economic gain over longer-term environmental benefits.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common alternatives like "discussion about", "discussion on", or "discussion regarding" for clearer and more conventional communication.

Common error

While not grammatically incorrect, "discussion towards" can sound slightly awkward in formal writing. Opt for "discussion about" or other similar phrases to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discussion towards" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun (typically "discussion", "talks", etc.). It indicates the direction, aim, or focus of a conversation or deliberation. Ludwig indicates that the phrase may be a less formal alternative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discussion towards" serves to indicate the direction or objective of a conversation, yet it's less common than alternatives like "discussion about" or "discussion on". While grammatically acceptable, it may sound slightly awkward in formal settings. Ludwig’s analysis reveals a neutral to formal register, used across scientific, news, and business contexts. Therefore, while not incorrect, writers should consider audience and context when choosing between "discussion towards" and its more conventional counterparts. The contexts can be further improved by using frequent contexts like, "Science", "News & Media" and "Formal & Business".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversation aimed at

Focuses on the intended outcome or objective of the conversation.

dialogue directed at

Implies a more structured and purposeful exchange than a general "discussion".

deliberation concerning

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration of a specific topic.

consultation regarding

Highlights the act of seeking advice or information during the discussion.

inquiry focused on

Emphasizes the investigative nature of the discussion.

conversation centering on

Indicates that the conversation primarily revolves around a specific topic.

discourse pertaining to

Uses more formal language to refer to the subject of the discussion.

talks oriented toward

Emphasizes the planning and goal orientation of the discussions.

exchange concerning

Highlights the reciprocal sharing of information and ideas during the discussion.

meeting about

A general and straightforward alternative that refers to the subject matter of a more formal meeting.

FAQs

What's a more common alternative to "discussion towards"?

Common alternatives include "discussion about", "discussion on", or "discussion regarding", depending on the specific context.

Is "discussion towards" grammatically incorrect?

No, it's not strictly grammatically incorrect, but it is less common and can sound slightly awkward to some English speakers. It's generally better to use more standard alternatives.

How can I use "discussion towards" in a sentence?

You can use "discussion towards" to indicate the direction or goal of a discussion, such as "The meeting involved a productive "discussion towards" finding a solution".

When is it appropriate to use "discussion towards"?

It's generally acceptable in informal contexts, but for formal writing or professional communication, alternatives like "discussion about" or "dialogue concerning" are preferred.