having conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"having conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it for describing two people talking to each other. For example, "The couple was having conversation over coffee in the cafe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Thus people started having conversation with inanimate street furniture.

The Guardian

Am I currently having conversation with another table?

The Guardian - Opinion

Having conversation starters at the ready can make small talk more palatable.

Harvard Business Review

"The last time I was home, we were just sitting having conversation," Ms. Ruff said, beginning to wipe away tears.

The New York Times

"I love having conversation pieces," Ms. Brown said, adding that her purchase seemed only appropriate, "coming from Hong Kong, the land of fakes".

The New York Times - Arts

The "fantastic challenge," Lissoni told me, was learning to "work with someone who was very keen not to have an idea," because that might "jeopardize the possibility of having conversation until the very last moment".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

You were having conversations..

The New Yorker

At the moment we are having conversations.

Independent

"We need to begin having conversations".

The New York Times

So we kept on having conversations anyway".

The New York Times - Style

"We're having conversations," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "having conversation" when you want to emphasize the act of conversing, especially in a social or informal context. Consider alternatives like "engaging in dialogue" for more formal situations.

Common error

Avoid using "having conversation" excessively in academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives such as "conducting a discussion" or "engaging in dialogue" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "having conversation" functions as a gerund phrase. It typically acts as a noun, describing the activity of conversing. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. For example, "They were having conversation about the weather."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

12.5%

Science

6.25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "having conversation" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the act of two or more people talking. As highlighted by Ludwig, its function is primarily to depict an interaction involving spoken exchange. While versatile, the phrase is most at home in neutral to informal contexts, such as news media and general discussions. For more formal settings, alternatives like "engaging in dialogue" or "conducting a discussion" may be more appropriate. Ludwig's analysis confirms that while it's usable, awareness of register is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking with each other

This is a simpler and more direct way of saying "having conversation".

speaking together

This is a general term for talking with someone.

engaging in dialogue

This alternative emphasizes a more formal and structured exchange.

in the midst of a discussion

This phrase highlights the ongoing nature of the exchange.

holding a discussion

This phrase is more formal than "having conversation".

chatting

This alternative suggests a more informal and casual exchange.

exchanging ideas

This alternative focuses on the intellectual aspect of the conversation.

participating in a discourse

This alternative suggests a more academic or formal conversation.

conferring

This alternative implies a more serious or official conversation.

in communication

This phrase broadly indicates that conversation is occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "having conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "having conversation" to describe the act of people talking to each other. For example: "They were "having conversation" about their day."

What are some alternatives to "having conversation"?

Alternatives include "chatting", "talking with each other", or "engaging in dialogue" depending on the formality of the context.

Is "having a conversation" more correct than "having conversation"?

While "having conversation" is grammatically acceptable, "having a conversation" is more common and generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "having conversation" and "holding a conversation"?

"Having conversation" generally refers to the act of talking, whereas "holding a conversation" can imply a more structured or deliberate exchange. For example, you might "having conversation" with a friend, but "holding a discussion" at a meeting.