engage in discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engage in discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe entering into a dialogue. For example: "The members of the committee agreed to engage in discussions in order to reach a resolution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

We will continue to engage in discussions with the district attorneys".

The Guardian

Paul Dickinson, executive chairman of CDP, says businesses should engage in discussions with climate negotiators.

The Guardian

She instructed the parties to "engage in discussions seven days a week, 24 hours a day".

The New York Times

If a provider refuses to engage in discussions, "it moves to the complaint phase".

The New York Times

Newspapers and blogs crunch box-office numbers far more than they engage in discussions about the art.

The New York Times

Southeastern has said it expects to actively engage in discussions with Sun's management and third parties about the company's future.

The New York Times - Tech

Bloggers engage in discussions about investing in particular stocks, as well as taking an active role in shaping the show.

The New York Times - Tech

All are welcome to come and view the house and engage in discussions about how to address the housing crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Coty said on Monday that it was abandoning its pursuit of Avon Products, citing Avon's "unwillingness to engage in discussions".

The New York Times

"We don't engage in discussions for the sake of having conversations," Mrs. Clinton said, after a meeting with the Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni.

The New York Times

The governments of Iceland and Suriname are hosting a high-level conference designed to change the way men and boys think and engage in discussions about gender equality.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engage in discussions", consider the context to choose the most appropriate synonym for greater clarity and impact. For instance, use "participate in conversations" for informal settings and "deliberate" for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "engage in discussions" in formal documents. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "deliberate", "confer", or "exchange views" to maintain reader interest and demonstrate nuanced communication skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engage in discussions" functions primarily as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of participating in conversations or dialogues. It commonly appears after auxiliary verbs to form continuous tenses or infinitives. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engage in discussions" is a versatile and commonly used expression for describing participation in dialogues or conversations. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically sound and applicable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and formal business settings. When writing, consider substituting it with synonyms like "participate in conversations" or "take part in dialogues" for enhanced clarity and to avoid repetition. Remember that while versatile, "engage in discussions" carries a slightly more formal tone than simply "having a conversation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participate in conversations

Focuses more on active involvement in a conversational exchange.

take part in dialogues

Emphasizes a structured and reciprocal exchange of ideas.

have conversations about

A more generic way to express having discussions.

join in deliberations

Highlights a more formal and thoughtful consideration of a topic.

contribute to debates

Suggests a more argumentative or persuasive exchange of viewpoints.

exchange views on

Highlights the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

hold talks on

Suggests a formal meeting or negotiation to discuss specific topics.

share ideas regarding

Highlights the collaborative aspect of exchanging thoughts and insights.

confer about

Indicates a formal consultation or exchange of opinions.

interact through forums

Implies using online platforms for discussions.

FAQs

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

You can use "engage in discussions" to describe participating in a conversation or dialogue, such as, "The committee members agreed to "engage in discussions" to resolve the issue".

What are some alternatives to "engage in discussions"?

Alternatives include "participate in conversations", "take part in dialogues", or "join in deliberations", depending on the context and formality.

What's the difference between "engage in discussions" and "have a conversation"?

"Engage in discussions" often implies a more formal or structured exchange of ideas, while "have a conversation" is more general and can refer to informal exchanges.

Is it correct to say "engaging in discussions"?

Yes, "engaging in discussions" is the present participle form and is grammatically correct. For example, "They are currently "engaging in discussions" about the new policy".