initial discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial discussions" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the first or preliminary conversations about a topic or issue. Example: "The company's board of directors had initial discussions about the proposed merger before moving forward with negotiations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The initial discussions were highly abstract.

The New Yorker

What were your initial discussions about for this ballet?

The New York Times - Arts

After their initial discussions, Britton is largely absent during Rubasingham's work with the cast.

The Guardian

But rivals complained that the terms they offered in initial discussions were unusually harsh.

The New York Times

Initial discussions are said to have begun at the end of 2016.

The Guardian

T.C.W. thanks M. Fortin-McCuaig for initial discussions on the topic.

Nature

Then there are initial discussions of vague scientific cooperation and hints of large sums of money.

The New York Times

The initial discussions involved the future of the health care industry.

The New York Times

Initial discussions with DCC took place a fortnight ago and are set to resume.

The Guardian - Sport

Initial discussions will be held this summer followed by a workshop or full production next year.

The New York Times

"There were two things they had that piqued my interest," he said of the initial discussions.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initial discussions" to set the stage for a process, highlighting that further, more detailed conversations will follow.

Common error

Avoid using "initial discussions" without outlining what resulted from these early conversations. Mentioning next steps or key takeaways provides a more complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial discussions" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the starting point of a dialogue or negotiation, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial discussions" is a very common noun phrase used to describe the beginning phase of conversations, negotiations, or planning processes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it's important to provide context around what these "initial discussions" entail to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "preliminary talks" or "early conversations" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary talks

Focuses on the spoken aspect of the early conversations.

early conversations

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the discussions being in their early stages.

introductory meetings

Highlights the formal setting and introductory nature of the meetings.

opening negotiations

Specifically relates to negotiations that are just beginning.

first round of talks

Implies a series of talks where this is the beginning phase.

preliminary exchanges

Focuses on the back-and-forth nature of the initial communication.

early deliberations

Suggests a more formal and thoughtful consideration from the start.

kick-off discussions

Informal term highlighting the start or initiation of discussions.

initial consultations

Implies seeking advice or expert opinions in the beginning phase.

opening dialogue

Emphasizes the interactive and communicative aspect of the discussions.

FAQs

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

You can use "initial discussions" to describe the beginning phase of a conversation or negotiation, such as: "The project's "initial discussions" focused on budget allocation."

What are some alternatives to "initial discussions"?

Alternatives include "preliminary talks", "early conversations", or "introductory meetings", depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "first initial discussions"?

Yes, saying "first "initial discussions"" is redundant because "initial" already implies that they are the first. Use either "initial discussions" or "first discussions".

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

"Initial discussions" refer to the first conversations on a topic, while "follow-up discussions" are subsequent conversations that build upon the initial ones.