had a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"had a discussion" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation between two or more people. For example, "My friends and I had a discussion about what to do for our summer vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

All women, in whom contraception was discussed, had had a discussion with their psychiatrist around teratogenic potential of their medication.

BMC Psychiatry

I had a discussion with Godard ….

The New Yorker

They would have had a discussion.

The Guardian

He said: "We had a discussion about it.

The Guardian - Sport

I remember we had a discussion about the set.

The New Yorker

"We had a discussion about politics," Mr. Cappelli said.

The New York Times

Shonibare said he had a discussion with Kate about "how wonderful art is".

Independent

Then we had a discussion of some of the missing names.

The New York Times

In fact, I just had a discussion with our music supervisor.

The New York Times

First, the oncologist said, she had a discussion with him alone.

The New Yorker

"We've had a discussion but it wasn't mature enough," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add specificity, indicate the tone of your discussion by adding context such as "amicable", "heated", "brief", "extensive".

Common error

Avoid using "had a discussion" without specifying the subject. Saying "They had a discussion" lacks informative value without the topic clearly stated or implied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that an exchange of ideas or opinions took place. Ludwig AI also confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. The examples provided by Ludwig show it commonly used to describe both formal and informal conversations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had a discussion" is a versatile and commonly used phrase to describe a conversational exchange. Ludwig AI indicates that it’s grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its frequency across various sources like news, scientific articles, and business documents highlights its adaptability. When using the phrase, specifying the topic or nature of the discussion provides clarity and context. While "had a conversation" is a close alternative, "had a discussion" can imply a more structured exchange of ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaged in a conversation

Emphasizes the active participation of both parties in the exchange.

held a conversation

Similar to "had a discussion" but might suggest a slightly more formal or planned interaction.

conversed about

A more formal and sophisticated alternative, implying a thoughtful exchange.

talked about

A more informal way of saying "had a discussion", suitable for casual settings.

exchanged views on

Highlights the sharing of different perspectives on a topic.

deliberated on

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration of a matter.

conferred with

Indicates a formal consultation, often involving experts.

consulted with

Implies seeking advice or information from someone.

touched on

Suggests a brief or superficial examination of a topic.

addressed the issue of

Focuses on bringing up and dealing with a specific problem or concern.

FAQs

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

You can use "had a discussion" to describe a conversation where ideas are exchanged. For example, "The team "had a discussion" about project timelines."

What are some alternatives to "had a discussion"?

Alternatives include "engaged in a conversation", "held a conversation", or "talked about", depending on the formality and context.

Is it better to say "had a discussion" or "had a conversation"?

Both "had a discussion" and "had a conversation" are correct. "Had a conversation" is generally more informal, while "had a discussion" can imply a more structured or purposeful exchange.

When should I use "deliberated on" instead of "had a discussion"?

Use "deliberated on" when you want to emphasize a careful and thorough consideration of a topic, suggesting a more formal and thoughtful process than simply "had a discussion".