foster a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster a conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage or promote dialogue or discussion between individuals or groups. Example: "The goal of the workshop is to foster a conversation about sustainable practices in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

I'm excited to find ways to foster a conversation between contemporary art in interaction design.

University of California, Berkeley

Since his re-election, Mr. Obama has agreed to foster a "conversation" on climate change and an "education process" about long-term steps to address it.

The New York Times

The cathedral then created a task force to discuss the windows and how to best foster a conversation around racial reconciliation.

The Washington Post

In the process, they will foster a conversation on the possible changes in regulation that would allow us to catch up with the established social norm.

Harvard University

"Our partnership with Squarespace will allow us to share stories that we hope will foster a conversation about how people are pursuing their passions in a whole new way.

The Guardian

Descriptions of the evolution of a father-son relationship are used to foster a conversation about the "uniqueness" of this relationship as it pertains to the company's value and the value of the company to its investors.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

At its fiftieth anniversary, we will mark the transition of '68 from memory to history by fostering a conversation that would provide a novel perspective towards this century-defining year.

Harvard University

Having both guests out simultaneously could be a good hook for Corden's show, but he needs to work better at fostering a conversation between the guests rather than talking to them both individually and hoping that chemistry will happen just by the magic of proximity.

The Guardian

Shelter representatives visit the classroom, fostering a conversation intended to help students better understand homelessness in general and the specific challenges faced by their client base.

Huffington Post

The DFAA is part of the Cecilia Attias Foundation, a New York-based institution which I have set to up as a platform for fostering a conversation about women's role.

HuffPost

To keep the patient engaged throughout this process, the interviewer was prepared with numerous probes that fostered a conversation-like environment.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foster a conversation", ensure that the context implies active encouragement and support for open communication rather than just initiating a discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "foster a conversation" when you only intend to start a discussion. "Foster" implies ongoing support and nurturing of the dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster a conversation" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action taken to encourage and support dialogue. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foster a conversation" is a grammatically sound and usable English phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that suggests active encouragement and support for ongoing dialogue. While not exceedingly common, it frequently appears in news, academic, and scientific contexts. Effective usage involves understanding that "foster" implies more than just starting a conversation; it includes nurturing and sustaining it. Related phrases include ""encourage dialogue"" and ""promote discussion"", but each carries slightly different nuances. By understanding these distinctions, writers can effectively use "foster a conversation" to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage dialogue

Focuses on the act of encouraging discussion, omitting the fostering aspect.

promote discussion

Highlights the promotion of discussion, slightly more formal.

cultivate dialogue

Emphasizes the nurturing and development of a conversation.

initiate a dialogue

Focuses on starting a conversation rather than sustaining it.

spark a discussion

Implies igniting a lively exchange of ideas.

stimulate conversation

Highlights the act of making conversation more active or vigorous.

facilitate communication

Focuses on easing the flow of communication more broadly.

create an exchange

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the interaction.

generate interaction

Focuses on producing engagement among individuals.

build rapport

Emphasizes establishing a harmonious relationship through conversation.

FAQs

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

Use "foster a conversation" when you want to express the idea of actively encouraging and nurturing dialogue, as in "The university aims to "foster a conversation" about ethics in technology."

What are some alternatives to "foster a conversation"?

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

Is "foster a conversation" formal or informal?

"Foster a conversation" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in professional or academic settings.

What's the difference between "foster a conversation" and "start a conversation"?

"Start a conversation" simply means to initiate a discussion, whereas ""foster a conversation"" implies ongoing support and nurturing of the dialogue to ensure it continues and develops.