foster dialogue

USAGE SUMMARY

'foster dialogue' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe encouraging or facilitating a conversation or discussion, such as in the workplace or between countries. For example, "The new policy seeks to foster dialogue between management and employees on the issue of workplace safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He proposed joining the team in efforts to foster dialogue between Zimbabwe's competing parties.

The New York Times

Notre Dame wants to foster "dialogue" and "positive engagement", says Jenkins.

The Guardian - Opinion

We need to work together to foster dialogue and mutual understanding between communities".

The Guardian

The innovative collaboration will fund editorially independent journalism at the Guardian US designed to create awareness and foster dialogue around sustainability and values-led businesses.

The Guardian

A Justice Department official has offered to mediate the lawsuit and proposed community meetings to foster dialogue between Muslims and Christians.

The New York Times

But the imam behind the project has decided to risk reigniting that opposition by setting out on a nationwide speaking tour next month to promote the planned center and to foster dialogue about Muslim life in America.

The New York Times

He was president of the Stimulus Foundation in recent years which was created to foster dialogue and mutual respect between Christians and Jews through publications dedicated to those goals.

The New York Times

In a statement, the Martin Ennals foundation said Ilham Tohti had spent two decades trying "to foster dialogue and understanding" between China's Han majority and members of Xinjiang's largely Muslim Uighur ethnic minority, of which he is a member.

The Guardian

The Guantánamo Public Memory Project involves historians, archivists, activists, military personnel, and over a dozen universities in raising public awareness of Gitmo's long history and foster dialogue on the future of this place, its people, and its policies.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Argentine-born Israeli citizen had announced his intention to hold the performance in a effort to foster dialogue over ways to end more than 17 months of bloodshed.

The Guardian

[We] recognised that land issues have a deep, historical legacy in Kenya, and further noted that, given this, the bank's role must be calibrated carefully so that the bank is viewed as a partner helping to foster dialogue," it added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "foster dialogue" when the goal is to build understanding and consensus among different groups or individuals.

Common error

While "foster dialogue" is a valid and useful phrase, avoid using it in overly casual or informal situations where simpler terms like "chat", "talk", or "discuss" would be more appropriate. Using it in the wrong context may sound pretentious or out of place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foster dialogue" functions primarily as a verb phrase followed by a noun, where "foster" acts as a transitive verb meaning to encourage or promote, and "dialogue" is the object, referring to a communicative exchange. As shown by Ludwig's AI, this phrase is widely accepted and utilized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "foster dialogue" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies encouraging or promoting communication. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is widely accepted. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase aims to initiate or improve communication, often in settings requiring conflict resolution or policy development. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, overuse in casual contexts should be avoided. Alternatives like "promote discussion" or "encourage communication" may suit different nuances. Overall, "foster dialogue" is a versatile and valuable tool for expressing the intent to nurture constructive communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promote discussion

Focuses more on encouraging a back-and-forth exchange of ideas.

encourage communication

Highlights the act of making communication more likely or easier.

facilitate conversation

Emphasizes making a conversation easier and more effective.

stimulate debate

Suggests provoking a more formal or structured discussion.

cultivate understanding

Implies a more gradual and nurturing process of developing comprehension.

build bridges

Uses a metaphor to suggest connecting different groups or viewpoints.

improve relations

Focuses on the outcome of better interpersonal or group dynamics.

nurture collaboration

Highlights the aspect of working together harmoniously.

develop rapport

Concentrates on building a friendly and trusting relationship.

initiate discourse

Emphasizes the starting point of a more formal or academic discussion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "foster dialogue" in a sentence?

Use "foster dialogue" to describe actions that actively encourage open communication, such as "The conference aimed to "foster dialogue" between scientists and policymakers".

What are some alternatives to "foster dialogue"?

You can use alternatives like "promote discussion", "encourage communication", or "facilitate conversation" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "foster dialogue" and "facilitate dialogue"?

"Foster dialogue" implies actively encouraging and nurturing communication, while "facilitate dialogue" suggests making the process of communication easier or more seamless. The former is more proactive, the latter more supportive.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the phrase "foster dialogue"?

It is most appropriate in formal settings such as international relations, organizational development, or academic discussions, where the goal is to build understanding and resolve conflicts through structured communication.