held a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"held a discussion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to an event in which two or more people congregate to talk about a topic, usually to reach a consensus or come to a decision. For example, "The board members held a discussion about the company's future goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

An employee of China's flagship steel maker, Baosteel, said BHP Billiton had held a discussion for its iron ore clients during the Olympic Games at which they discussed the outlook for the steel industry.

The New York Times

After the screening, the Carr Center held a discussion about the film.

Harvard University

Hall held a discussion with staff on Tuesday, in which he adopted a "hardline" stance on the changes.

The Guardian

Mr. Levin notes that Mr. Weiland had held a discussion with the employee over the phone, rather than over e-mail.

The New York Times

JERUSALEM — Three months after the 1967 war, Israel's ruling Mapai Party held a discussion on the future of the newly conquered territories.

The New York Times

The Mercer County Chamber of Commerce held a discussion on the report and vowed to create a foundation aimed at changing the state's business climate.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"Even a year ago there was no holding a discussion around risks to these assets," she said.

The Guardian

Hold a discussion afterward.

The New York Times

Hold a discussion after the film.

The New York Times

After the games they hold a discussion on something.

The Economist

Kaiser Health News holds a discussion on living well with dementia.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held a discussion", ensure the context clearly indicates the topic and purpose of the discussion for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "held a discussion" when a more active verb would provide a clearer picture of who initiated or led the discussion. For example, specify "The manager held a discussion" instead of just "A discussion was held."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held a discussion" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of conducting a conversation or exchange of ideas on a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

30%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "held a discussion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe the act of having a conversation, often with a specific purpose or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across a range of contexts. While versatile, remember to consider active alternatives for clearer communication and passive voice avoidance. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Academia", this phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various settings. For alternative phrasing, consider "conducted a discussion" or "had a discussion" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducted a discussion

Replaces "held" with "conducted", emphasizing the act of managing or guiding the discussion.

had a discussion

Replaces "held" with "had", offering a more neutral and less formal phrasing.

hosted a discussion

Substitutes "held" with "hosted", highlighting the role of organizer or facilitator of the discussion.

convened a discussion

Replaces "held" with "convened", suggesting a more formal or official gathering for discussion.

organized a discussion

Substitutes "held" with "organized", focusing on the planning and structuring of the discussion.

engaged in a discussion

Emphasizes active participation and interaction during the discussion.

facilitated a discussion

Highlights the act of making the discussion easier or more effective.

participated in a discussion

Focuses on involvement as one of many contributors to the discussion.

undertook a discussion

Suggests a more serious and deliberate approach to the discussion.

carried out a discussion

Implies the discussion was part of a planned or required process.

FAQs

What does "held a discussion" mean?

The phrase "held a discussion" means to have a conversation or exchange of ideas and opinions on a particular topic, often with the goal of reaching a decision or understanding.

What can I say instead of "held a discussion"?

You can use alternatives like "conducted a discussion", "had a discussion", or "engaged in a discussion" depending on the context and level of formality.

How to use "held a discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "held a discussion" in a sentence like: "The committee "held a discussion" about the new policy" or "The teachers "held a discussion" with the students about internet safety".

Is it correct to say "hold a discussion" or "held a discussion"?

"Hold a discussion" is the infinitive form, used for general statements or future events. "Held a discussion" is the past tense, used to describe a discussion that has already taken place.