fostering discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fostering discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of encouraging or promoting conversation or dialogue on a particular topic. Example: "The conference aims at fostering discussion among experts in the field to share their insights and experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

The change reflects Mr. Bernanke's emphasis on fostering discussion and debate among committee members.

The New York Times

What's important is that this is a step for Facebook away from being a broadcast medium and toward fostering discussion.

TechCrunch

Beyond providing basic content and user management, KEF serves as a collaborative environment, fostering discussion and the sharing of information.

Security Informatics

Specifically, he noted that Facebook, Twitter, Quora (and even TechCrunch) were great at getting this information out there and fostering discussion.

TechCrunch

"WeWork and sweetgreen share a vision for creating community and being more conscious global citizens, fostering discussion and recognition of the way our actions impact ourselves, our communities, and the world around us," WeWork president and CFO Artie Minson said in a press release.

TechCrunch

That feeling of being able to post anything, any time, is crucial to fostering discussion and makes social apps, well, feel social.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Her predecessor, the Rev. Joshua DuBois, sent President Obama Bible passages each morning and was known for fostering discussions with religious leaders on how to approach broad social goals.

The New York Times

The basic elements include fostering discussions and disputations, facing alternative conceptions, and focusing on conceptual understanding.

International Journal of STEM Education

To the contrary, PMTCT programs have helped women safely disclose their HIV-testing experience and status to their partner's family and have contributed to stigma reduction in the community by fostering discussions and normalizing HIV counseling, testing, and care.

Unicef

Mr. Sherman said his goal was to foster discussion through small screenings, but bigger crowds would occasionally show up.

The New York Times

He fostered discussion and roused his flock against the degradation, despair, abortions, alcoholism and promiscuity of Soviet life.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "foster discussion", consider providing open-ended questions or prompts to encourage diverse perspectives.

Common error

Avoid using "fostering discussion" when the goal is simply to disseminate information; it implies a two-way exchange of ideas, not a one-way broadcast.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fostering discussion" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. It describes the act of actively encouraging or promoting conversation and exchange of ideas. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fostering discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing the act of encouraging conversation and debate. Ludwig confirms this, noting its presence across diverse sources like news, science, and business. While not exceedingly common, it carries a neutral tone and can be effectively employed to convey the intention of promoting collaborative dialogue. Remember to use it appropriately in contexts where a two-way exchange of ideas is desired, providing open-ended questions or prompts to support meaningful engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encouraging dialogue

Focuses on the act of promoting conversation specifically in a structured manner.

promoting conversation

Highlights the action of actively making conversation more likely or common.

cultivating debate

Emphasizes the careful development and nurturing of a formal argument or discussion.

stimulating dialogue

Suggests an energizing effect on the conversation, making it more lively.

facilitating exchange

Focuses on making it easier for people to share ideas and information.

nurturing discourse

Implies a caring and supportive approach to developing a thoughtful conversation.

sparking debate

Highlights the action of initiating a lively and engaging discussion.

generating conversation

Focuses on creating new instances of conversation.

advancing conversation

Implies moving the conversation forward in a productive direction.

inaugurating dialogue

Suggests starting a formal or official discussion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "fostering discussion" in a sentence?

Use "fostering discussion" to describe actions that encourage open communication and the exchange of ideas. For example, "The moderator's role is crucial in fostering discussion during the panel."

What are some alternatives to "fostering discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "encouraging dialogue", "promoting conversation", or "cultivating debate" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "fostering discussions" instead of "fostering discussion"?

Yes, "fostering discussions" is also correct. The plural form emphasizes multiple instances or types of discussion, while the singular form refers to the general act of promoting discussion.

What is the difference between "fostering discussion" and "facilitating a conversation"?

"Fostering discussion" implies actively encouraging and nurturing a dialogue, whereas "facilitating a conversation" focuses on making the existing conversation easier and more productive. "Facilitating a conversation" is about guiding an already started conversation, not necessarily initiating it.