engaged in a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "engaged in a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone who is actively participating in a conversation or debate about a particular topic. Example: "The team members were engaged in a discussion about the project's next steps during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

However, engagement remains vitally important: pharmacists who engaged in a discussion about anaphylaxis with the patient, also demonstrated a greater preparedness for anaphylaxis emergencies.

BMJ Open

The two engaged in a discussion about gun control.

The New York Times

Second, national policy-makers are engaged in a discussion on how to achieve the locally-desired visions.

Forest Policy and Economics

The teachers in the playground formed a huddle beneath the cherry trees and engaged in a discussion in low voices.

The Guardian

After a short break, the faculty and staff engaged in a discussion session on scientific career paths.

Cornell University

As part of an Education Studies course student teachers engaged in a discussion of issues related to technology and equity in schools.

Teaching and Teacher Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "engaged in a discussion", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic being discussed. This avoids ambiguity and provides clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "engaged in a discussion" without specifying the subject of the discussion. Vague references can leave the reader uninformed and the sentence lacking impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "engaged in a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, describing an action of active participation in a conversational exchange. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English, fitting well within sentences detailing interactions and dialogues. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "engaged in a discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe active participation in a conversation or debate. Ludwig AI validates its usability across diverse contexts, from formal academic settings to news reports. While versatile, clarity is key; always specify the topic of discussion to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "participated in a conversation" and "had a conversation about" offer subtle variations in tone and formality, as seen in the diverse examples provided by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

participated in a conversation

Replaces "engaged" with "participated" and "discussion" with "conversation", slightly altering the tone.

took part in a dialogue

Substitutes "engaged" with "took part" and "discussion" with "dialogue", implying a more formal exchange.

had a conversation about

Uses a more common phrasing to express the idea of having a discussion.

held a discussion on

Replaces "engaged in" with "held", suggesting a more formal or organized discussion.

conversed about

Employs a slightly more formal verb, "conversed", to indicate a discussion.

deliberated on

Suggests a more thoughtful and careful consideration of a topic.

exchanged views on

Highlights the exchange of opinions and perspectives.

shared opinions on

Focuses on the sharing of opinions during the discussion.

presented arguments about

Emphasizes the presentation of arguments within the discussion.

brainstormed about

Implies an informal discussion aimed at generating ideas.

FAQs

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

You can use "engaged in a discussion" to describe someone actively participating in a conversation or debate. For example, "The students were engaged in a discussion about the effects of climate change."

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

You can use alternatives like "participated in a conversation", "had a conversation about", or "held a discussion on" to vary your language.

Is "engaged in a discussion" formal or informal?

"Engaged in a discussion" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives like "conversed about" might be more appropriate for highly formal situations.

What is the difference between "engaged in a discussion" and "participated in a discussion"?

While similar, "engaged in a discussion" implies a more active and involved role compared to "participated in a discussion", which can simply mean being present during the discussion.