initial discussion about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial discussion about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the first, introductory conversation about a particular topic. For example, "The initial discussion about the new project revealed a number of challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

That was pretty clear from the moment we had the initial discussion about it.

Independent

On Monday we started the development, with an initial discussion about the origins of the play led by Saseen Kawzally.

The Guardian

In this work, we also present an initial discussion about possible columns sequences to obtain the reaction product free of inert species.

Chemical Engineering Science

During the initial discussion about future classics, many of the overwhelmingly female crowd (there were fewer than 10 males in the audience, two of whom looked strangely like Richard Yates) began taking furious notes, only pausing when Marie Phillips - author of God's Behaving Badly - described her publishing fairytale.

The Guardian - Books

You and a potential influencer should already have had some initial discussion about your expectations, including the type of content you are looking for, the style and tone.

Forbes

There was initial discussion about filming Halloween II in 3-D, but the idea never came to fruition.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Theresa May initially named India, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore and Australia as countries that would welcome initial discussions about enhancing free trade with the UK.

The Guardian

What were your initial discussions about for this ballet?

The New York Times - Arts

Napoleon ruled at the time of the initial discussions about the statue, in the mid-1860's.

The New York Times

Google framed its initial discussions about a possible Java licence as part of negotiations to develop Android in partnership with Sun.

The Guardian - Tech

Executives from both companies began working on the merger about six months ago after initial discussions about their products, according to people briefed on the matter.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initial discussion about", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being discussed. Be specific to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "initial discussion about" without specifying the subject of the discussion. Being vague can leave the audience guessing and reduce the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial discussion about" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the first conversation or exchange of ideas regarding a specific topic, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial discussion about" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote the first conversation or exchange of ideas on a particular topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility is evident in its frequent appearance across diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific papers. While adaptable, it's crucial to ensure clarity by explicitly stating the subject of the discussion to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "preliminary conversation regarding" or "first meeting regarding" can be used to suit specific contexts or levels of formality. Be sure to frame it well to avoid being too generic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary conversation regarding

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation" and "about" with "regarding", maintaining a similar level of formality.

first conversation concerning

Substitutes "initial" with "first", "discussion" with "conversation" and "about" with "concerning", offering a slightly more formal tone.

opening remarks pertaining to

Replaces "initial discussion" with "opening remarks" and "about" with "pertaining to", suitable for more formal or structured settings.

introductory dialogue on

Substitutes "discussion" with "dialogue" and "about" with "on", suggesting a more structured and formal exchange.

early consultation regarding

Replaces "discussion" with "consultation" and "about" with "regarding", implying a more advisory or expert-driven conversation.

initial consultation on

Substitutes "discussion" with "consultation" and "about" with "on", implying a more advisory or expert-driven conversation.

preliminary talks concerning

Replaces "discussion" with "talks" and "about" with "concerning", suitable for informal contexts.

first meeting regarding

Substitutes "initial discussion" with "first meeting" and "about" with "regarding", focusing on the event rather than the content of the discussion.

opening exchange about

Replaces "discussion" with "exchange", highlighting the interactive nature of the conversation.

initial exchange of views on

Replaces "discussion" with "exchange of views", making the expression more formal and emphasizing the sharing of opinions.

FAQs

How can I use "initial discussion about" in a sentence?

You can use "initial discussion about" to introduce the first conversation on a topic. For example, "The "initial discussion about" the budget revealed several disagreements".

What are some alternatives to "initial discussion about"?

Alternatives include "preliminary conversation regarding", "first meeting regarding", or "introductory dialogue on", depending on the context and level of formality.

Which is more formal, "initial discussion about" or "preliminary talks concerning"?

"Preliminary talks concerning" /s/preliminary+talks+concerning is slightly more formal than "initial discussion about", as it uses more elevated vocabulary.

What's the difference between "initial discussion about" and "follow-up discussion about"?

"Initial discussion about" refers to the very first conversation on a topic, while "follow-up discussion about" refers to a subsequent conversation that builds upon the first.