in the course of a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the course of a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or points that arise during a conversation or dialogue. Example: "In the course of a discussion about climate change, several important solutions were proposed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

I did, though, (mis)appropriate the climate angle in the course of a discussion about pets.

The New York Times

In the course of a discussion about the Middle East, Mr. King asked Mr. Romney about the price of gas and what he would do about it as president.

The New York Times

His comments were made in the course of a discussion about the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, which is exploring the development and use of safe chemicals as well as ways to impact public policy.

University of California, Berkeley

Except that on the previous page, in the course of a discussion of what makes life worth living, he has declared that opening a door is the big thing: "Yes, the door opens, like a wing, and that alone makes life worth living". Do make up your mind, you ludicrous beardy, you want to say.

The Guardian - Books

The movie takes an extraordinary turn when, in the course of a discussion organized at a café, two students from the Ivory Coast are unable to identify the significance of the number tattooed on the arm of another participant, Marceline, a Jewish woman who explains it to them.

The New Yorker

As time has gone by, journalists have been focusing on another aspect of the original BuzzFeed report that kicked off this debate – the claim that an Uber exec had "accessed the profile of a BuzzFeed News reporter, Johana Bhuiyan, to make points in the course of a discussion of Uber policies" without their permission.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The instability of hijra identity was brought home in the course of a group discussion with hijra sex workers.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

He did not even mention Iran in the course of the discussion.

The New York Times

In the course of our discussion, he rarely called Gaddafi by name.

The Guardian

In the course of their discussion, he revealed just how bad people often are at teamwork.

Harvard Business Review

In the course of his discussion, Newton explains why he thinks the need is justified.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the course of a discussion" to introduce a point, event, or change of subject that naturally arises during a conversation or meeting. It adds a sense of organic development to your narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "in the course of a discussion" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with alternatives like "during the discussion" or "throughout the conversation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the course of a discussion" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by specifying the time or circumstances under which an action occurs or a statement is made. It introduces information that emerges naturally during a conversation. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

This analysis clarifies the usage of the phrase "in the course of a discussion". It is a grammatically sound and commonly employed prepositional phrase across varied contexts, from academic research to news reporting, as confirmed by Ludwig. Serving to provide contextual background and indicating the origin of information within a conversation, it maintains a register suitable for formal and informal use alike. While effective, overuse should be avoided by incorporating alternatives such as "during the discussion". Understanding its nuances ensures precision and clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the discussion

A more concise alternative, omitting "course of a".

throughout the discussion

Emphasizes the duration of the discussion.

in the midst of the discussion

Suggests the discussion is already underway.

during the conversation

Replaces "discussion" with the more general term "conversation".

while discussing

A more concise phrasing, using a gerund.

as we discussed

Indicates a previously held discussion.

in discussing

More direct and often used when introducing a topic.

within the framework of the discussion

Highlights the established boundaries of the discussion.

arising from the discussion

Indicates that something resulted or emerged from the discussion.

as part of the discussion

Suggests the information was one component of the conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "in the course of a discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "in the course of a discussion" to introduce something that happened or was mentioned during a conversation. For example, "In the course of a discussion, several new ideas emerged."

What are some alternatives to "in the course of a discussion"?

Alternatives include "during the discussion", "throughout the conversation", or "while discussing". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "in the course of a discussion" or "during the discussion"?

"In the course of a discussion" is slightly more formal than "during the discussion". Both are acceptable in most contexts, but the former adds a touch more emphasis to the unfolding nature of the conversation.

What's the difference between "in the course of a discussion" and "in the context of a discussion"?

"In the course of a discussion" refers to events that happen during the discussion. "In the context of a discussion" refers to background information or relevant factors surrounding the discussion.