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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
earnest discussed
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "earnest discussed" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect combination of words that lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The topic was earnestly discussed during the meeting."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Alternative expressions(4)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
Despite her anti-establishment appearance a T-shirt covered with pins bearing cheeky messages, several tattoos she sounds downright earnest when discussing the presidential race, noting that even her 11-year-old daughter is following the candidates.
News & Media
But that period of evaluation is just about over because in the last week, executives say, some clubs are becoming more earnest in discussing deals as they evaluate their place in the standings and their potential.
News & Media
Earnest was discussing a New York Times report that cited Israeli officials saying the United States had limited what it was sharing with them about the talks and a European official saying he had been warned by Washington to be careful what he shared for fear of it being selectively leaked.
News & Media
Earnest also has discussed securitizing loans, but it considers doing so as the logical progression of a much more fundamental business plan that aims to improve the experience of getting and repaying a loan.
News & Media
The relative merits of Widespread Panic, another jam band, were discussed in earnest.
News & Media
Nadal, who has been against this change since it was first discussed in earnest in 2009, has yet to practice on the blue clay despite the advance notice.
News & Media
It was the place, for instance, where recliner seats and their relative costs and benefits began to be discussed in earnest a number of years ago.
News & Media
This is the first time in over 100 years that monetary policy is being discussed in earnest during a presidential campaign.
News & Media
I was pleased to see the topic discussed in earnest, not just on day five, but throughout the week.
News & Media
Van Meter's profile matches Schumer's most earnest self-portraits; discussing her movie "Trainwreck" on "Fresh Air," last year, she explained, "It was the hardest I've ever worked.... I'm on trains and on planes, and I'm writing".
News & Media
His soft, sandy voice sounds earnest, especially when discussing open-source software.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use the adverbial form "earnestly" to modify verbs like "discussed" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, "The matter was earnestly discussed by the committee".
Common error
Avoid using the adjective "earnest" directly before a verb like "discussed". Instead, use the adverbial form "earnestly" or rephrase the sentence to use "earnest" correctly, such as "The matter was discussed in earnest".
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "earnest discussed" is grammatically incorrect. The word earnest is an adjective and cannot directly modify the verb discussed. As noted by Ludwig, the correct usage would involve using the adverbial form or rephrasing.
Frequent in
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "earnest discussed" is grammatically incorrect. As flagged by Ludwig, "earnest" is an adjective and needs to be in its adverbial form ("earnestly") to properly modify the verb "discussed", or the sentence needs to be rephrased. Possible corrections include "earnestly discussed" or "discussed in earnest". This grammatical error makes the phrase unsuitable for formal writing, and writers should prefer the corrected alternatives. Although the intention might be to describe a serious or sincere discussion, the phrase fails to achieve this due to its incorrect structure.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
seriously discussed
Replaces "earnest" with its adverbial form to correctly modify "discussed".
earnestly discussed
Corrects the grammatical structure by using the adverbial form of "earnest".
discussed in earnest
Reorders the phrase to use "earnest" as part of a prepositional phrase modifying "discussed".
sincerely debated
Replaces both "earnest" and "discussed" with synonyms to convey a similar meaning of serious discussion.
thoroughly considered
Substitutes "discussed" with "considered" and "earnest" with "thoroughly" to emphasize the depth of consideration.
seriously considered
Expresses the idea of something being taken seriously in consideration.
sincerely considered
Implies genuine and heartfelt consideration.
intensely debated
Highlights the passionate and vigorous nature of the discussion.
earnestly debated
Presents the debate as sincere and heartfelt.
honestly debated
Emphasizes the integrity and truthfulness of the debate.
FAQs
How can I correctly use "earnest" with "discuss"?
The correct way to phrase it is to say "discussed in earnest" or use the adverb form "earnestly discussed". Using "earnest" directly before "discussed" is grammatically incorrect.
What is a synonym for "earnestly discussed"?
Synonyms include "seriously discussed", "sincerely debated", or "thoroughly considered", depending on the specific context.
Is "earnest discussed" grammatically correct?
No, "earnest discussed" is not grammatically correct. The adjective "earnest" needs to be transformed into an adverb (earnestly) to properly modify the verb "discussed". Or use the form "discussed in earnest".
What's the difference between "earnest discussed" and "earnestly discussed"?
"Earnest discussed" is grammatically incorrect, while "earnestly discussed" is the correct form. The -ly ending transforms "earnest" into an adverb, which can then properly modify the verb "discussed".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
60%
Authority and reliability
1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested