held a dialogue

USAGE SUMMARY

'held a dialogue' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe an exchange of words or ideas between two or more people. For example, "The two politicians held a dialogue to try and find common ground on the issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They went with their science teachers, but we also had religious instruction teachers, they held a dialogue about the beliefs of different religions.

The Economist

He tells me that young volunteers were involved at every stage of the filming project and held a dialogue with the veterans who discuss the notion of Britain as a multicultural society and the vexed issue of immigration today.

The Guardian

For example, recently the Thailand SEC held a dialogue with Vitalik Buterin and the OmiseGo team on the status of exchanges and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs).

TechCrunch

Awami National Party (ANP) member Zahid Khan said, "We also held a dialogue previously (during our government) but that did not produce effective results.

Wikipedia

On the Thursday before January 25 a group of young men and women held a dialogue and strategy session at the office of the Revolution Path Front.

Vice

On the Thursday before the 25th of January this year, a group of young men and women held a dialogue and strategy session at the office of the Revolution Path Front.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

There was no attempt to hold a dialogue and find a solution to the crisis.

The Guardian

"Yesterday, the government stated it was willing to hold a dialogue with students," the federation said in a statement.

The New York Times

Mr. de la Fuente tried to hold a dialogue with one student who managed to plunge through the melee.

The New York Times

But in the meantime it will be expected to pursue Mr. Mladic, undertake internal economic reforms and try to hold a dialogue with Kosovo.

The New York Times

(5) In order to put these agreements into practice, the South and North will hold a dialogue between government authorities at an early date.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held a dialogue", ensure that the context clearly indicates the topic and purpose of the discussion. Be specific about who participated and what outcomes were expected.

Common error

Don't simply state that parties "held a dialogue" without providing context. Instead, specify the subject matter and goals of the dialogue to give the reader a clearer understanding of its significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a dialogue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of engaging in a structured conversation. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly describes an exchange of words or ideas between two or more people.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a dialogue" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a structured conversation, often with the goal of understanding or resolving issues. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While it carries a relatively neutral tone, it is more appropriate for formal or professional settings. When using this phrase, it's best to provide specific details about the dialogue's purpose and participants to avoid vagueness. The phrase has several alternatives, such as "engaged in conversation" or "conducted a discussion", offering flexibility in expressing similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Conducted a discussion

Replaces "dialogue" with the more general term "discussion", emphasizing the exchange of views.

Engaged in conversation

Uses "engaged" to highlight active participation and "conversation" for a less formal exchange.

Had a discussion

Uses the verb "had" which is a more informal alternative to "held".

Had a talk

Replaces "dialogue" with "talk", implying a potentially less formal and structured discussion.

Initiated communication

Focuses on the start of the communication process, rather than the dialogue itself.

Began a conversation

Focuses on the commencement of a conversation, highlighting the initial stage of communication.

Maintained communication

Emphasizes the continuation of communication over time.

Established communication

Highlights the creation of channels for communication.

Undertook negotiations

Suggests a more formal and structured dialogue aimed at reaching an agreement.

Engaged in a parley

Uses the more formal and less common word "parley" to suggest a structured discussion between opposing sides.

FAQs

How can I use "held a dialogue" in a sentence?

Use "held a dialogue" to describe a formal or structured conversation between two or more parties. For example, "The government and the rebels "held a dialogue" to discuss peace terms".

What are some alternatives to saying "held a dialogue"?

Alternatives include "engaged in conversation", "conducted a discussion", or "had a talk", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "held a dialogue" formal or informal?

"Held a dialogue" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for news reports, academic papers, and business communications. Less formal options include "had a conversation" or "talked".

What is the difference between "held a dialogue" and "had a debate"?

"Held a dialogue" implies a conversation with the goal of understanding and finding common ground, while "had a debate" suggests a more competitive exchange where each side tries to prove its point. A "held a dialogue" focuses on listening, while a "had a debate" prioritizes persuasion.