discussion was held

USAGE SUMMARY

"discussion was held" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is generally used to refer to a formal meeting or event where people have exchanged opinions and ideas. For example: "The committee held a discussion to review the progress made in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The discussion was held in a large auditorium, and every seat was taken.

The New Yorker

And earlier this week a public discussion was held into the future of alternative news provision in the city.

The Guardian

Discussion was held about the amount of grants the council would give to the major national concert orchestras.

The Guardian - Books

Recently, a première and discussion was held at the festive screening-room space at the Whitby Hotel, in midtown.

The New Yorker

A brief discussion was held only because one senator, Thomas K. Duane of Manhattan, objected to the hurried process.

The New York Times

Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt confirmed a discussion was held, adding that the government "continues to make clear to the US that we want Mr Aamer released".

Independent

The discussion was held under the Chatham House rule, whereby comments are not attributed to encourage a free and frank discussion.

The Guardian

The discussion was held under the Chatham House rule, which allows comments to be reported without attribution to encourage a frank debate.

The Guardian

The discussion was held under the Chatham House rule, which allows comments to be reported without attribution in order to encourage free debate.

The Guardian

Afterward, Mr. Sharon said grimly that the discussion was held "in a very clear manner" and "it is evident we do not agree at all points".

The New York Times

The discussion was held in his negotiation training workshop "Setting the Stage for Productive Negotiations" in the Program on Negotiation for Senior Executives.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discussion was held", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic and participants involved for clarity.

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice constructions like "discussion was held" if an active voice alternative can provide more direct and engaging language. For example, instead of "A discussion was held", consider "The committee discussed..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discussion was held" functions as a statement indicating that a conversation or exchange of ideas occurred. It employs passive voice, focusing on the action rather than the actor. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in reporting events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discussion was held" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, predominantly used to report that a conversation or deliberation occurred. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most commonly found in scientific and news media contexts. While perfectly acceptable, writers should consider whether an active voice construction might offer a more direct and engaging alternative. To prevent writers from sounding monotonous you can use "a conversation took place".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a conversation took place

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation", suggesting a more informal exchange.

a meeting occurred

Focuses on the event of the meeting rather than the content of the discussion.

deliberations were conducted

Emphasizes a more formal and structured process of deliberation.

a consultation transpired

Implies a formal exchange of views, often with an expert.

a dialogue ensued

Suggests a back-and-forth exchange, emphasizing the interactive nature of the conversation.

an exchange of views happened

Highlights the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

talks were undertaken

Emphasizes the action of engaging in conversation or negotiation.

a discourse unfolded

Indicates a more elaborate and structured conversation.

a panel convened

Refers specifically to a discussion with a panel of experts.

a symposium unfolded

Refers specifically to a discussion, often with an audience involved.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "discussion was held" to sound more active?

Consider using active voice constructions such as "The team discussed…", "We had a discussion about…", or "The committee deliberated on…" for a more direct and engaging tone. Alternatives include "a conversation took place" or "deliberations were conducted".

What's the difference between "discussion was held" and "discussion took place"?

While both phrases are similar, "discussion was held" suggests a more formal or organized event, while "discussion took place" can imply a more general or informal exchange. Use "a meeting occurred" if you want to focus on the event rather than the details of what was discussed.

Is "discussion was held" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "discussion was held" is suitable for formal writing, but consider whether an active voice construction might be more effective. For instance, "The board discussed the matter" may be more concise and impactful.

What are some synonyms for "discussion was held" that are less formal?

Less formal alternatives include phrases like "we talked about", "they chatted about", or "there was a conversation about". For a more neutral option, consider "an exchange of views happened".