engage in a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engage in a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to participating actively in a conversation or dialogue about a specific topic. Example: "During the meeting, we will engage in a discussion about the new project proposals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Part of the reason for events like this is to engage in a discussion.

The Guardian

Indeed, he can appear a bit reluctant to engage in a discussion on policy details.

The New Yorker

"I expect all leading politicians to engage in a discussion about this".

The Guardian

"We are really pleased they want to engage in a discussion.

The Guardian

Mr. Romney declined to engage in a discussion about his rival on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Overall, yes — it allows fans to engage in a discussion they would otherwise be cordoned off from.

The New Yorker

What would be more correct, however, would be to engage in a discussion of society's mores and values.

The New York Times - Sports

"We as a studio can engage in a discussion with them about why an objection is incorrect, and we do.

The New York Times

The conversations are geared toward small businesses; to go to a large ones these days might be to engage in a discussion of downsizing.

The New York Times

Perhaps Mark also found it useful to engage in a discussion with a writer who has hit the streets to protest the very industry that employs him.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm happy to engage in a discussion, give people a chance to answer," he said at one point during the debate over gay marriage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "engage in a discussion" when you want to emphasize active participation and thoughtful contribution to a conversation or deliberation. It implies a deeper level of involvement than simply "having" a discussion.

Common error

While "engage in a discussion" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "discuss", "talk about", or "explore" to maintain reader interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of actively participating in a conversation or deliberation. It implies a deliberate and thoughtful involvement, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engage in a discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe actively participating in a conversation or deliberation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. While generally neutral to professional in tone, it signifies a deliberate and thoughtful involvement. To avoid repetitiveness, consider alternatives like "participate in a discussion" or "have a discussion". Remember to emphasize active contribution and thoughtful exchange when using "engage in a discussion".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participate in a discussion

Replaces "engage" with a more straightforward synonym, slightly less formal.

take part in a discussion

Similar to "participate", but emphasizes active involvement.

have a discussion

A more concise and common alternative.

enter into a discussion

More formal and emphasizes initiation of the discussion.

join a discussion

Highlights becoming part of an existing discussion.

contribute to a discussion

Focuses on providing input and ideas.

deliberate on a topic

More formal and implies a careful and thorough discussion.

confer about a matter

Suggests a more professional or official discussion.

exchange views on a subject

Highlights the sharing of different perspectives.

ventilate an issue

Emphasizes openly discussing a problem or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "engage in a discussion" to describe participating actively in a conversation. For example: "The seminar provided an opportunity to "engage in a discussion" about climate change."

What are some alternatives to "engage in a discussion"?

Alternatives include "participate in a discussion", "take part in a discussion", or simply "have a discussion", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "engage in a discussion" or "have a discussion"?

"Engage in a discussion" is generally considered more formal than "have a discussion". The former suggests a more deliberate and active involvement.

When is it appropriate to use "enter into a discussion" instead of "engage in a discussion"?

Use "enter into a discussion" when emphasizing the act of joining or initiating a conversation, while "engage in a discussion" focuses on active participation within it.