held discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of engaging in conversations or negotiations about a particular topic or issue. Example: "The committee held discussions regarding the new policy changes that will affect all employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two have held discussions.

The Guardian

People met up, conferred, held discussions.

The New Yorker

She has held discussions about discussions, meetings about meetings.

The Economist

Time Warner Cable, the nation's second-largest cable provider, has also held discussions about carrying Revolt.

The New York Times

On Thursday, top bankers and Mr. Ebersman held discussions on a final price.

The New York Times

Both sides in the joint venture have held discussions for years about unwinding it.

The New York Times

Siemens reportedly had held discussions with private equity firms about selling its stake.

The New York Times

Clubwomen held discussions and presented essays and speeches on current topics of study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And in 2003, Orrick held discussions with another California firm, Cooley Godward, which eventually fell apart.

The New York Times

This is not the first time that KPN has held discussions with Belgacom.

The New York Times

Troup said he had already held discussions with the Swiss authorities about the dramatic shortfall.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held discussions", consider the context and choose the preposition that best reflects the topic or focus of the discussions (e.g., "held discussions on", "held discussions about", "held discussions regarding").

Common error

Avoid using "hold discussions" when a more specific verb like "negotiate", "consult", or "debate" would better reflect the nature of the interaction. "Held discussions" is a general term and should be used when the specific type of interaction isn't known or isn't important.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held discussions" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of engaging in a conversation or exchange of ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It is frequently used to describe formal meetings, negotiations, or general conversations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held discussions" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of engaging in conversations or exchanging ideas. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its prevalence across diverse sources like news media and encyclopedias demonstrates its widespread acceptance. When using this phrase, consider the specific context to choose the most appropriate preposition and avoid overuse when a more precise verb could enhance clarity. While "held discussions" is generally neutral to formal, understanding its nuances ensures effective communication in various professional and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducted talks

Uses a different verb to convey the action of having discussions, implying a more formal or structured exchange.

engaged in dialogue

Emphasizes a two-way communication and exchange of ideas, suggesting a deeper level of interaction.

had conversations

A more informal way of saying "held discussions", implying a less structured and more casual interaction.

undertook negotiations

Focuses on the negotiation aspect, implying that the discussions were aimed at reaching an agreement or compromise.

carried out deliberations

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration of different viewpoints before making a decision.

exchanged views

Highlights the sharing of opinions and perspectives, rather than a formal discussion.

conferred with

Implies seeking advice or counsel from someone, suggesting a consultation process.

tabled talks

Specifies the act of beginning discussions on a topic.

broached the subject

Focuses on the act of initiating a discussion, especially on a sensitive or difficult topic.

explored ideas

Emphasizes the exploratory nature of the discussions, focusing on generating and examining different concepts.

FAQs

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

You can use "held discussions" to describe a formal or informal exchange of ideas or information, such as "The committee "held discussions" about the budget" or "The managers "held discussions" on the new policies".

What are some alternatives to "held discussions"?

Alternatives include "conducted talks", "engaged in dialogue", "had conversations", or "undertook negotiations depending on the specific context".

Is there a difference between "hold discussions" and "held discussions"?

"Hold discussions" is the infinitive form, while "held discussions" is the past tense. Use "held discussions" when referring to discussions that have already taken place. For example, "We "will hold discussions" next week" versus "We "held discussions" last week".

How formal is the phrase "held discussions"?

The phrase "held discussions" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone. It is suitable for business settings, news reports, and academic papers, while phrases like "had a chat" are more informal.