engage in discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'engage in discussion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you would like to encourage someone to have a conversation or participate in a talk about a subject. For example: "Let's engage in discussion to brainstorm ideas for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Thus, having an LA engage in discussion with students has the potential to help them discuss the material more thoroughly.

CBE Life Sciences Education

They will engage in discussion with journalists covering these issues.

Columbia University

"People are not even prepared to take leaflets or to engage in discussion.

The Guardian

The more confident workers feel, the more happy they are to engage in discussion and collaboration out in the open.

The Guardian - Tech

He added that the new president was someone who "is open and who really wants to engage in discussion".

The New York Times

Trigger warnings serve to prevent panic attacks or flashbacks that impede one's ability to engage in discussion.

The New Yorker

Students are expected to come to class, engage in discussion, and put contribute to lab sessions.

University of California, Berkeley

Often, then, students are better prepared to engage in discussion — often debate!

Yale University

"If there are disagreements over management and editing, people can engage in discussion based on these principles.

The New York Times - Tech

We know from research and anecdotes that readers value the limited opportunities we provide to engage in discussion.

The New York Times

It also allows the class to engage in discussion about the nature of "community" in community-based organizations.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to foster a collaborative environment, use "engage in discussion" to encourage active participation from all members. For example, in a team meeting, state: "Let's engage in discussion to gather diverse perspectives on the project strategy."

Common error

While "engage in discussion" is versatile, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more precise verbs like "deliberate", "debate", or "confer" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in discussion" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It indicates the act of participating actively in a conversation or dialogue. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its use across academic, news, and scientific contexts, highlighting its versatility in conveying the idea of active participation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "engage in discussion" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase widely used across various contexts to denote active participation in a conversation or dialogue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's prevalent in academic, news, and scientific domains, indicating a neutral to professional register. Alternatives like "participate in conversation" or "take part in dialogue" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using the phrase, remember that is best practice for encouraging collaborative participation, but avoid overuse in highly formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Participate in conversation

Focuses more on the act of taking part in a conversation.

Take part in dialogue

Highlights the interactive and reciprocal nature of the exchange.

Join the conversation

Emphasizes entering an ongoing discussion.

Enter into debate

Suggests a more formal and structured discussion, often with opposing viewpoints.

Have a conversation

A simpler and more general way to refer to a discussion.

Exchange ideas

Focuses on the sharing of thoughts and opinions.

Share views

Highlights the expression of personal opinions.

Contribute to dialogue

Emphasizes making a valuable addition to an existing conversation.

Air opinions

Implies expressing opinions publicly.

Have a powwow

An informal way of saying 'have a discussion'.

FAQs

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

You can use "engage in discussion" to encourage active participation in a conversation, such as: "The professor encouraged students to engage in discussion about the novel's themes."

What are some alternatives to "engage in discussion"?

Alternatives include "participate in conversation", "take part in dialogue", or "join the conversation", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is "engage in a discussion" grammatically correct?

Yes, "engage in a discussion" is also grammatically correct, though "engage in discussion" is often preferred for its conciseness and broader scope, implying a continuous process rather than a single event.

When is it appropriate to use "engage in discussion" versus "debate"?

"Engage in discussion" is suitable for general conversations and collaborative exchanges, while "debate" implies a more formal argument or contest of viewpoints.