foster a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foster a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage or promote a conversation or dialogue on a particular topic. Example: "The goal of this meeting is to foster a discussion about our future strategies and initiatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The idea is to foster a discussion about how we can do things better," the aide says.

Science Magazine

It would be interesting to use Mean Genes to foster a discussion of how to relate and balance different types of scientific evidence and whether they support overarching hypotheses.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

These results may foster a discussion on healthy food accessibility in terms of economic costs.

BMJ Open

Our data suggest consistent associations of income and education with dietary patterns and may foster a discussion on healthy food accessibility in terms of economic costs.

BMJ Open

Survey results were then presented to researchers in a 3-day event dedicated to foster a discussion on creating an "autism-friendly society".

BMC Medical Ethics

Looking more critically at mission specific outcomes can foster a discussion on how to optimize quality, address deficiencies, and solution-share in order to improve the quality of care offered to patients in developing areas worldwide.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Below are a few different discussion topics that helped me navigate issues of racial inequality with young children, and which also fostered a discussion around Aiden's dad who apparently, "doesn't like black people".

Huffington Post

In an effort to foster such a discussion, Mr. Berk recently organized a small dinner in New York to explore the various styles of Côte-Rôtie.

The New York Times - Food

"Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country".

The New York Times

This is done in the hope to foster a renewed discussion on the work of Brocchi.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Instead of using the opportunity to foster a meaningful discussion, consumers may take your opinions personally and retaliate against you and your brand.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "foster a discussion", begin with open-ended questions to encourage participation and diverse perspectives.

Common error

Avoid dominating the conversation when trying to "foster a discussion". Instead, focus on creating a comfortable and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, where "foster" acts as a transitive verb taking "a discussion" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It describes the act of encouraging or promoting a conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foster a discussion" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that means to encourage or promote a conversation or dialogue. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples of its use in various contexts. While not extremely common, it is frequently used in scientific, news, and formal business settings. Alternatives include "encourage a dialogue", "promote a conversation", and "facilitate a discussion". When using the phrase, it's important to focus on creating an inclusive environment and avoid dominating the conversation to allow for diverse perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Encourage a dialogue

Focuses on creating a two-way communication.

Promote a conversation

Highlights the act of actively advancing a discussion.

Facilitate a discussion

Emphasizes making a discussion easier and more productive.

Spark a conversation

Implies initiating a discussion quickly and easily.

Generate a dialogue

Highlights the act of creating a discussion.

Develop a dialogue

Highlights the act of growing a two-way communication.

Cultivate a conversation

Implies a more gradual and nurturing approach to developing a discussion.

Nurture a discussion

Focuses on carefully developing and maintaining a discussion over time.

Stimulate a debate

Suggests sparking a more formal or argumentative exchange.

Incite a discussion

Suggests provoking a lively discussion, possibly on a controversial topic.

FAQs

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

You can use "foster a discussion" to describe the act of encouraging or promoting dialogue around a specific topic. For example, "The goal of the workshop is to "foster a discussion" about climate change solutions".

What are some alternatives to "foster a discussion"?

Alternatives include "encourage a dialogue", "promote a conversation", or "facilitate a discussion". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

Is "foster a discussion" formal or informal?

"Foster a discussion" is suitable for both formal and informal settings, depending on the context. It is generally considered a neutral and professional phrase.

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

"Foster a discussion" implies nurturing and encouraging an ongoing conversation, whereas "start a discussion" simply means initiating one. "Foster a discussion" focuses on the process, while start a discussion focuses on the initial action.