held discussions on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "held discussions on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to engaging in conversations or negotiations about a specific topic or issue. Example: "The committee held discussions on the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

While the company held discussions on a production-sharing contract, it never signed one.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Under "note of discussions", the minutes say: "The board held discussions on the work of the department during parliament".

The Guardian

In the past few decades, scholars have conducted research and held discussions on green building to highlight their vital significance in addressing environmental, economic and social challenges.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Funded by groups such as KAS and Vital Voices, he held discussions on a range of topics, including the future of energy in the Gulf.

The New York Times

Belgium's prime minister, Charles Michel, has disclosed that he held discussions on the possibility in Davos with the BBC's director general, Tony Hall.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Members of the group were last night holding discussions on whether to resist eviction.

Independent

Thirty organisations were due to hold discussions on how to proceed without the commonwealth funding.

The Guardian

The forum holds discussions on climate issues in parallel to formal negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations.

The New York Times

According to the executives, Code Hennessy & Simmons, a Chicago buyout firm, is holding discussions on Otis Spunkmeyer with First Atlantic.

The New York Times

"They are still working on formalising the agenda that they will hold discussions on," said the spokesman for Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry, Dina Mufti.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "held discussions on", ensure that the topic of discussion is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The board held discussions on the company's future strategy" is more effective than "The board held discussions".

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences such that the subject is acted upon instead of acting. Instead of saying "Discussions were held on the matter", use the active voice: "The team held discussions on the matter" to make the sentence more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "held discussions on" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a conversation or series of conversations took place regarding a specific topic. Ludwig shows various examples from diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in conveying communicative exchange.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "held discussions on" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that conversations or negotiations have taken place on a specific matter. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. While alternatives like "discussed" offer conciseness, "held discussions on" emphasizes the structured and intentional nature of the exchange. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying the discussion topic and avoid overuse of passive voice for a more impactful statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussed

This is a shorter, more direct way of saying that a conversation took place about a topic.

had talks about

Replaces "discussions" with "talks", suggesting a more informal exchange.

engaged in dialogue regarding

A more formal alternative, replacing "discussions" with "dialogue" and "on" with "regarding".

conferred about

Implies a more formal and structured conversation, often involving experts.

deliberated on

Suggests a careful and thorough consideration of a topic.

negotiated regarding

Focuses on the aspect of reaching an agreement or compromise.

exchanged views on

Highlights the sharing of different perspectives.

had a conversation concerning

Replaces "discussions" with a more generic "conversation", while also substituting "on" with "concerning".

addressed the subject of

Focuses on bringing up a specific topic for consideration.

reviewed the matter of

Suggests a formal examination and evaluation of a particular issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "held discussions on" to indicate that a group or individuals engaged in conversations or negotiations regarding a specific topic. For instance, "The committee "held discussions on" the proposed budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "held discussions on"?

Alternatives to "held discussions on" include "discussed", "had talks about", or "engaged in dialogue regarding", depending on the level of formality and specific context.

Is it better to use "held discussions on" or simply "discussed"?

While "discussed" is a more concise option, ""held discussions on"" emphasizes the formal or structured nature of the conversation. The best choice depends on the desired tone and the context of your writing.

What's the difference between "held discussions on" and "had a meeting about"?

"Held discussions on" emphasizes the conversational aspect and exchange of ideas, while "had a meeting about" focuses on the gathering itself, which might include presentations, decisions, and other activities in addition to discussions.