had discussions with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had discussions with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to conversations or meetings that have taken place with someone regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "The manager had discussions with the team about the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We've already had discussions with teams.

The New York Times

apparently had discussions with the Russian ambassador . . .

The New Yorker

"I've never had discussions with Catherine about her part.

The New York Times

We've had discussions with Zack on some things today.

The New York Times - Sports

The company has also had discussions with Indian aviation officials.

The New York Times

"We certainly have had discussions with USADA," Myler said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have had discussions with the Taliban," he continued.

The New York Times

"We've had discussions with these people," Commander Ali said.

The New York Times

GPU has also had discussions with National Grid of Britain.

The New York Times

"We've had discussions with a few clubs who are interested.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's no question we've had discussions with people," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had discussions with", ensure the context clearly indicates the purpose or topic of the discussions to provide more clarity and relevance to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "had discussions about with". The word "about" is often redundant because "discussions" inherently imply a topic. Instead, use "had discussions with" followed directly by the subject of discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had discussions with" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone participated in conversations or meetings with another person or group. This phrase is commonly used to describe interactions involving an exchange of ideas, negotiation, or consultation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had discussions with" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe conversational interactions between individuals or groups. Ludwig AI confirms it is a valid phrase in the English language. It commonly appears in news, media, and formal business contexts, serving the purpose of informing an audience that these discussions took place. While alternatives exist, such as "engaged in talks with" or "conferred with", understanding the nuances in meaning helps tailor the language to the specific context. Be mindful to avoid redundancy, and ensure that the topic or purpose of the discussions is clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held conversations with

Replaces "discussions" with "conversations", emphasizing the conversational aspect.

had a dialogue with

Uses "dialogue" to suggest a more in-depth and reciprocal exchange.

engaged in talks with

Uses "talks" instead of "discussions", suggesting a more informal exchange.

consulted with

Emphasizes seeking advice or opinions during the discussions.

conferred with

Implies a more formal and deliberate consultation.

met with

Focuses on the act of meeting for discussions, without specifying the content.

exchanged views with

Focuses on the sharing of opinions and perspectives.

negotiated with

Suggests discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.

spoke with

Highlights the act of speaking as the primary mode of communication.

interacted with

Broadly refers to interactions that included discussions.

FAQs

What does "had discussions with" mean?

The phrase "had discussions with" indicates that someone participated in conversations or meetings with another party, typically to exchange information, negotiate, or make decisions.

How can I use "had discussions with" in a sentence?

You can use "had discussions with" to describe a past interaction. For example: "The manager "held conversations with" the team about the upcoming project."

What are some alternatives to "had discussions with"?

Alternatives include phrases like "engaged in talks with", "conferred with", or "consulted with", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "had a discussion with" or "had discussions with"?

Both are correct, but "had discussions with" implies multiple conversations or a more extensive conversation. "Had a discussion with" suggests a single, specific instance.