during a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'during a discussion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate when something happened as part of a discussion. For example: "Although I disagreed, my opinion changed during a discussion with my colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The breaking point came during a discussion of monogamy.

The New York Times - Magazine

"No, no, no, Norman," he interrupted during a discussion of the proposed Homeland Security Department.

The New York Times

Bias against women came up during a discussion of improved police responses to domestic violence.

The New York Times

His comments were made during a discussion about raising educational standards for the most disadvantaged communities.

The Guardian

"What is all the sieving and straining for?" he asked during a discussion of cream soups.

The New York Times

"It came during a discussion concerning the ending of the play.

The New York Times

One attendee even told me that social media repeatedly came up during a discussion on religion.

The New York Times

But during a discussion on fiscal talks, he too used the terminology of firearms.

The New York Times

He did get lost in the weeds during a discussion of Romney's Mormonism.

The New York Times

They looked blank and eventually suggested I should have spent a bit longer during a discussion section of the lesson.

The Guardian

His pure idealism is measured by his response to a student during a discussion of the Holocaust.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "during a discussion" to clearly indicate that an event or comment occurred within the timeframe of a specific conversation or exchange of ideas. This helps to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "during a discussion" without clearly specifying which discussion you are referring to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Provide sufficient context to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during a discussion" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial modifier. It specifies the time frame or context in which an action or event takes place. Ludwig provides examples that confirm its use in setting temporal context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "during a discussion" is a grammatically sound and versatile prepositional phrase used to provide temporal context within a conversation. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its appropriateness across diverse registers, from news and media to scientific writing. The phrase's high frequency and clear communicative purpose make it a reliable choice for specifying when events occur within the timeframe of a discussion. When using it, ensure clarity by providing sufficient context about the discussion being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the course of a discussion

Replaces "during" with "in the course of", emphasizing the progression of the conversation.

while discussing

Uses a participial phrase to indicate simultaneous action, omitting "a" for brevity.

as we discussed

Implies the event happened at some point within a known discussion, useful for references.

during the conversation

More generic, referring to any type of exchange or talk

while in conversation

Highlights the active state of conversing when the event took place

as part of our discussion

Highlights that the event was part of the wider context and the scope of the conversation

in the middle of a debate

Specifically implies a more formal and potentially confrontational exchange of ideas.

throughout the debate

Emphasizes the event happened multiple times or continuously within the debate.

within the framework of a discussion

Replaces the simplicity of “during” with more complex terminology indicating structured boundaries and context

in connection with the discussion

Highlights that it has something to do with the central theme of the conversation but isn’t necessarily happening simultaneously

FAQs

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

Use "during a discussion" to specify when something occurred within a conversation, for example: "He mentioned his concerns "during a discussion" about the project's timeline."

What are some alternatives to "during a discussion"?

Alternatives include "in the course of a discussion", "while discussing", or "as we discussed", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "during discussion" instead of "during a discussion"?

While "during discussion" might be understood, it's grammatically preferable to use ""during a discussion"" for clarity and proper English usage, especially when referring to a specific instance.

What's the difference between "during a discussion" and "after a discussion"?

"During a discussion" indicates something happened while the conversation was ongoing, whereas "after a discussion" means it occurred following the conclusion of the conversation.