had a constructive discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had a constructive discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a conversation that was productive and led to positive outcomes or insights. Example: "After several hours of debate, we finally had a constructive discussion that helped us reach a consensus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mr. Samaras, for his part, said he had had "a constructive discussion" with Mr. Kouvelis and that talks would continue on Tuesday.

The New York Times

We had a constructive discussion about police reform and agreed on the importance of drawing a line under this matter and looking to the future".

The Guardian

"We had a constructive discussion, and it is clear that the standoff between Greece and the eurozone is the greatest risk to the global economy," Osborne said.

The Guardian

"I have had a constructive discussion with the prime minister about that and we look forward to discussions between my trade minister and his counterpart, Liam Fox.

The Guardian

Independent investigators could soon be at the scene of the MH17 crash site in eastern Ukraine after Australia's foreign minister, Julie Bishop, had a "constructive" discussion with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.

The Guardian

A Home Office statement said the Home Secretary, Theresa May, the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt, and the Foreign Office minister Jeremy Browne had had a "constructive" discussion with the industry about how to prevent the networks from being used to organise criminal behaviour.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Is it possible to have a constructive discussion of race in relation to contemporary poetry?

The New Yorker

If we can do those things, then we are open to having a constructive discussion with the government.

The Guardian

One American official said, "We hoped we would have a constructive discussion here, but it became clear that the Iranian side wasn't ready for this".

The New York Times

Of course, even if you follow this advice, sometimes there just aren't the right words and it's not possible to have a constructive discussion.

Harvard Business Review

"We urge everyone to have a constructive discussion with their clinician to ensure they're receiving the best medication possible and to know why they're taking it.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for conciseness, consider rephrasing "had a constructive discussion" with a more compact alternative like "conversed productively" or "engaged in a fruitful dialogue". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Common error

While "had a constructive discussion" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it, especially in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language that details the specific outcomes or agreements reached during the discussion. For instance, instead of saying "We had a constructive discussion and decided to proceed with the plan", specify "We agreed to proceed with the plan after discussing its feasibility."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a constructive discussion" functions as a verbal phrase, where "had" is the main verb and "a constructive discussion" is the direct object. It describes the act of engaging in a conversation that yields positive results. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had a constructive discussion" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a productive conversation that leads to positive outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and business settings. While acceptable in formal writing, more specific language detailing the outcomes of the discussion can enhance clarity. Related phrases include "engaged in a productive conversation" and "held a fruitful dialogue", which can be used as alternatives depending on the desired nuance. While the phrase is correct, remember to be precise about the nature of the outcome of discussion!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaged in a productive conversation

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation" and "constructive" with "productive", focusing on the positive outcome of the exchange.

held a fruitful dialogue

Substitutes "discussion" with "dialogue" and "constructive" with "fruitful", emphasizing the beneficial results of the interaction.

had a valuable exchange of ideas

Highlights the exchange aspect and replaces "constructive discussion" with a more descriptive phrase.

conversed productively

Condenses the phrase to an adverb-modified verb, focusing on the manner of conversation.

held a meaningful conversation

Replaces 'constructive' with 'meaningful', suggesting a deep and impactful exchange.

had a positive interaction

Focuses on the overall positive nature of the interaction, broadening the scope beyond just a discussion.

conducted a useful deliberation

Replaces "discussion" with "deliberation" and "constructive" with "useful", suggesting a more formal and purposeful exchange.

had a beneficial meeting

Emphasizes the advantageous aspect of the meeting, implying positive outcomes.

held collaborative talks

Highlights the collaborative nature of the talks, suggesting a joint effort towards a common goal.

had a good chat

Offers a more informal alternative, suitable for casual contexts where the conversation was positive and helpful.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "had a constructive discussion" that still convey a productive conversation?

Alternatives include "engaged in a productive conversation", "held a fruitful dialogue", or "had a valuable exchange of ideas".

How can I use "had a constructive discussion" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a conversation that led to positive outcomes or mutual understanding. For example, "The management and the union representatives had a constructive discussion about the new contract terms."

Is "had a constructive discussion" appropriate for formal writing?

It's generally acceptable, but in formal contexts, consider using more specific language that details the outcomes of the discussion. Options include mentioning specific agreements or decisions reached.

What is the difference between "had a constructive discussion" and "had a discussion"?

"Had a constructive discussion" implies that the discussion was productive and led to positive outcomes or understanding, while "had a discussion" is a more general statement without implying any specific outcome.