essence of the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'essence of the discussion' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the main idea or main point of a discussion. For example: After summarizing the discussion, I've come to the conclusion that the essence of the discussion was to find a way to resolve the problem.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The essence of the discussion on the ongoing situation in Darfur, and other parts of Sudan, was that while the government appeared to cooperate with the group of experts, very few recommendations had been implemented and therefore there had been little impact on the ground.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The chairman is remarkable at distilling what people have said – he can take nearly two hours of talk about the economy and effectively summarize the essence of that discussion".

The New York Times

Think about how cruel the essence of this discussion is, and yet how frequent it is as well.

Huffington Post

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told a foreign diplomat who visited her recently that to use military force to eliminate Iran's nuclear sites would be an extraordinarily difficult task; President Bush all but dismissed it as a near-term option to some lawmakers who, on condition of anonymity, relayed the essence of their discussion.

The New York Times

In essence, the discussion of the future, between the two candidates, is a battle between Obama's "lessons of the past" platitudes and Romney's "I can't tell you what I'm going to do until you elect me, just trust me, okay" plans.

Huffington Post

This makes it possible to capture the essence of discussions in epistemology involving matters of belief and not knowledge.

SEP

The essence of the mass and its sacrificial character was also included as a subject of discussion.

Wikipedia

The essence of the split?

The New York Times

The essence of the game?

The New York Times

Essence of the essential.

The New Yorker

The essence of the problem is unchanged.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When summarizing complex topics, use "essence of the discussion" to encapsulate the most vital points for clarity and brevity.

Common error

Avoid using "essence of the discussion" when a simpler phrase like "main point" would suffice. Overusing formal language can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essence of the discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It encapsulates the central meaning or core idea conveyed within a conversation or exchange of ideas. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "essence of the discussion" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to capture the core meaning of a conversation. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, it's most suitable for neutral to formal contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedic content, used to distill complex ideas. Alternatives like "gist of the discussion" or "main point of the discussion" might be more appropriate in informal settings. Remember to employ this phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and avoid sounding pretentious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gist of the discussion

Focuses on the main point or summary of the discussion, simplifying the overall message.

heart of the discussion

Emphasizes the central and most important aspect of the discussion.

core of the discussion

Highlights the fundamental and essential part of the discussion.

crux of the discussion

Draws attention to the decisive point that is essential for resolving the discussion.

substance of the discussion

Indicates the key content and significant elements of the discussion.

thrust of the discussion

Indicates the main direction, intent, or force of the discussion.

key takeaway from the discussion

Highlights the most important conclusion or insight gained from the discussion.

main point of the discussion

Directly refers to the primary subject or issue being addressed in the discussion.

central theme of the discussion

Focuses on the unifying idea or subject that recurs throughout the discussion.

underlying message of the discussion

Highlights the implicit or less obvious meaning conveyed throughout the discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "essence of the discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "essence of the discussion" to summarize the core meaning or key takeaways from a conversation or meeting. For example, "The essence of the discussion revolved around budget cuts and their potential impact."

What are some alternatives to "essence of the discussion"?

You could use alternatives such as "gist of the discussion", "heart of the discussion", or "main point of the discussion" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "essence of the discussion"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey the most important aspects or underlying meaning of a discussion in a concise and impactful way, particularly in formal or analytical contexts.

What's the difference between "essence of the discussion" and "summary of the discussion"?

"Essence of the discussion" refers to the core meaning or most important points, while "summary of the discussion" is a broader overview including details that might not be essential. The "gist of the discussion" is closer in meaning to the essence.