hold discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold discussions" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that two people or groups converse about a particular topic in order to come to a decision or resolution. For example: "We need to hold discussions with our stakeholders to determine the best way forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They said they wanted to hold discussions also with the Food and Drug Administration.

The New York Times

These would also hold discussions with bereaved relatives and, where necessary, consult coroners.

The Guardian

After the Friday and Sunday shows, survivors from the Kindertransport Association will hold discussions.

The New York Times

The FBU has accused the government of refusing to hold discussions to break the deadlock.

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

Doctors say they do routinely hold discussions with parents on whether to withhold care.

The New York Times

The Bundesbank said it would immediately hold discussions with Mr. Sarrazin and then decide what further steps to take.

The New York Times

It will be called Dialogue and the idea is to hold discussions between Donetsk and the rest of Ukraine.

The Guardian

He will hold discussions with a number of countries on their contributions to the war in Iraq and to Afghanistan.

The New York Times

"Tower Air is of course willing to hold discussions with any interested investor," he said in a statement.

The New York Times

Mr. Fornaro said AirTran wants the cuts to begin Aug. 1, and was continuing to hold discussions with its unions.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the subject of the discussions immediately after the phrase, for instance, "hold discussions on budget allocation".

Common error

Avoid using "hold discussions" without specifying the topic or participants. Instead of saying "The team will hold discussions", clarify with "The team will hold discussions about the new marketing strategy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold discussions" functions as a verbal phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence. It signifies the action of engaging in conversations or deliberations about a particular subject. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "hold discussions" is a grammatically correct and widely used verbal phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It's most frequently found in News & Media contexts, signifying a deliberate and communicative exchange of ideas, suitable for neutral and professional settings. When using "hold discussions", ensure you specify the topic and participants for clarity, and consider alternatives like "engage in talks" or "conduct deliberations" to adjust the formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct deliberations

Replaces "discussions" with "deliberations", implying a more formal and thorough process.

engage in talks

Uses "talks" instead of "discussions", suggesting a more informal exchange.

have conversations

Substitutes "hold discussions" with "have conversations", indicating a less structured dialogue.

carry out negotiations

Focuses on the aspect of negotiation within discussions, implying an attempt to reach an agreement.

enter into consultations

Highlights the consultative aspect of discussions, suggesting seeking advice or opinions.

undertake meetings

Replaces the phrase with "undertake meetings", which has a more formal connotation than "hold discussions".

initiate dialogues

Emphasizes the starting of a dialogue, framing the discussion as the beginning of a deeper understanding.

organize symposiums

Replaces with "symposiums" which implies the discussions are in a formal academic setting.

arrange conferences

Suggests larger, more structured meetings than simple discussions.

foster exchanges

Focuses on the mutual exchange of ideas and opinions.

FAQs

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

You can use "hold discussions" to indicate a formal conversation or meeting to discuss a specific topic. For example: "The board will "hold discussions" about the company's future investments".

What are some alternatives to "hold discussions"?

Some alternatives to "hold discussions" include "conduct deliberations", "engage in talks", or "have conversations", depending on the context and formality.

Is it better to say "hold a discussion" or "hold discussions"?

Both "hold a discussion" and ""hold discussions"" are grammatically correct. "Hold a discussion" refers to a single event, while ""hold discussions"" implies multiple sessions or an ongoing series of conversations.

What's the difference between ""hold discussions"" and "have a meeting"?

"Hold discussions" often suggests a more open-ended and exploratory conversation, whereas "have a meeting" can imply a more structured and decision-oriented gathering.