foment conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foment conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of encouraging or promoting dialogue or discussion among individuals or groups. Example: "The workshop aims to foment conversation about climate change and its impact on our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

As the years dragged on, the military's PR team was still hunting for Bergdahl and the two women in charge of the operation had to "get wily" to do their job, including slipping a general a bottle of Johnny Walker Black Label and some beef jerky to get a meeting and printing up T-shirts with Bergdahl's face on them to foment conversation.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To foment actual conversations about race, Thurston and Colby decided to do a series of live events across the county, but the series lasted for only one event.

The Guardian

It was another Wired journalist, Jeff Howe, who helped to popularise the notion of "crowdsourcing" – the idea that established institutions could use the net to foment a Wikipedia-like conversation with their punters and enlist them as participants in producing the goods.

The Guardian - Opinion

Topics include what each organization is doing to support, encourage and actively foment business (recruitment, existing and entrepreneurial) growth with conversations on how these various entities can work together to remove barriers, improve communications and achieve measurable results.

Forbes

"It's just the beginning," says Yates. "We actually don't even know what's to come at this point, because the effort has exceeded our expectations in terms of media and the conversations we've been able to foment".

Vice

Nor should we allow others, seeking to foment division for their own ends, co-opt the conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the media, bloggers, pundits, and commentators perpetuate the "us vs. them" conversation, they are unwittingly collaborating in opposing the "enemy," thereby increasing and fomenting prejudice.

Huffington Post

While the program does not in its framing bring into conversation the significant and growing role of non-religious Millennials in social justice causes, it foments dialogue between Boomers and Millennials around the cause that motivates them both.

HuffPost

The silence and taboos that impede conversation about slavery don't only cause the atrocities of human trafficking to slip our minds, they also foment the petri dish in which intolerable oppression and incomprehensible injustices flourish.

Huffington Post

Holding on will only foment more instability.

The New York Times

Administration officials deny trying to foment trouble.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foment conversation" when you want to emphasize the deliberate act of stirring up or encouraging dialogue, especially on topics that might be sensitive or require careful handling.

Common error

Avoid using "foment conversation" in casual settings. "Foment" has a somewhat formal tone, so opt for simpler phrases like "start a conversation" or "get people talking" in everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foment conversation" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "foment" (verb) acts upon "conversation" (noun). It describes the action of actively promoting or encouraging dialogue, aligning with Ludwig's assessment that the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foment conversation" is a grammatically correct way to describe the act of actively encouraging dialogue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, though it's relatively rare. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral to professional tone. While "foment" may sound formal, it effectively communicates the deliberate intent to stir up discussion. When writing, consider alternatives like "encourage dialogue" or "stimulate discussion" if "foment" seems too strong. In summary, "foment conversation" is a valid and useful phrase, particularly when the goal is to emphasize the conscious effort to initiate discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encourage dialogue

This alternative replaces "foment" with the more common and direct verb "encourage", and "conversation" with "dialogue", maintaining a similar level of formality.

Stimulate discussion

"Stimulate" suggests a more active initiation of conversation, while "discussion" is a broader term than "conversation".

Promote debate

This phrase implies a more formal and structured exchange of ideas, potentially involving opposing viewpoints.

Spark dialogue

"Spark" creates a more vivid image of initiating a conversation, implying a sudden beginning.

Instigate discussion

"Instigate" suggests a more deliberate and perhaps controversial initiation of a discussion.

Cultivate conversation

"Cultivate" suggests a gradual and careful nurturing of a conversation over time.

Foster discussion

"Foster" implies creating a supportive environment for discussion to thrive.

Incite debate

"Incite" suggests a more forceful and potentially contentious initiation of debate.

Generate conversation

This alternative focuses on the creation or production of conversation.

Encourage communication

This alternative broadens the scope from conversation to general communication, which could include various forms of interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "foment conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "foment conversation" to describe efforts to encourage dialogue, as in "The university organized a series of lectures to "foment conversation" about social justice issues".

What are some alternatives to "foment conversation"?

Alternatives include "encourage dialogue", "stimulate discussion", or "promote debate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "foment conversation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Foment conversation" leans towards the formal side due to the verb "foment". In informal settings, simpler phrases are usually more appropriate.

What does "foment conversation" imply?

"Foment conversation" implies actively and deliberately encouraging discussion, often on a specific or potentially challenging topic. It suggests a proactive effort to initiate dialogue.