initiate talks

USAGE SUMMARY

"initiate talks" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to starting a conversation, discussion, or exchange of ideas on a certain topic. For example: "The company decided to initiate talks with their primary supplier about lowering prices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

An impressive, controversy-free Tyson victory might be enough to initiate talks about a title fight between Tyson and Lennox Lewis.

The New York Times - Sports

Under UK takeover rules, Pfizer cannot renew its advances for six months, although AstraZeneca could choose to initiate talks in three months' time.

The Guardian - Business

The regulatory agency, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, also plans to initiate talks with bank regulators to ensure that adequate credit is available for the farm economy.

The New York Times

He called upon the prime minister to initiate talks with the Palestinians, and to respond to the Syrian president's offer for negotiations, even if they would take years.

The Guardian - Opinion

This spring, Ms. Ignagni tried to initiate talks with Nancy-Ann DeParle, head of the White House Office of Health Reform, working through a union leader, Dennis Rivera.

The New York Times

The Mets tried to initiate talks, but a baseball official said the Mets believed the Dodgers did not want to deal with them.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Chambers was among the earliest CEOs in the technology sector to initiate talk about economic recovery.

Forbes

By contrast, when the staff members initiate talk about medication-related problems, consensus is always problematic.

Disability and Rehabilitation

The practices that they use to initiate talk about medication-related problems recurrently elicit complaints (see Extracts 6 9) but they also shape an environment that is not receptive to such complaints.

Disability and Rehabilitation

The aims of the present study were: a) to assess if dying patients initiate talk about their own impending death with a hospital chaplain; b) to assess gender differences; c) to assess the effect of evocation-type intervention.

BMC Palliative Care

The alternative was to mirror the interactional sequences we were interested in, that is, to start with practices used in attempting to initiate talk about sensitive future matters, then report on those used in pursuing such talk, and finally those that closed talk about these matters.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initiate talks", clearly define who is starting the discussions and with whom. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "initiate talks" can sound overly formal in casual settings. Consider using more conversational alternatives like "start talking" or "begin discussions" for a better tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initiate talks" functions as a verb phrase indicating the commencement of discussions or negotiations. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to describe the action of starting a conversation or dialogue on a specific topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initiate talks" is a common and correct phrase used to describe the beginning of discussions or negotiations. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedia articles, and formal business contexts, conveying a sense of formality and deliberate action. While grammatically sound, it's best to consider the context and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase or a more casual alternative. It’s important to ensure you clarify who is initiating the discussions for clarity. Common alternatives include "begin negotiations", "start discussions", and "open dialogue".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin negotiations

Replaces "talks" with a more formal term "negotiations", emphasizing a structured discussion.

commence negotiations

A more formal alternative using "commence" instead of "initiate".

start discussions

Uses more common words than "initiate", making it slightly less formal.

undertake negotiations

Suggests a formal and planned approach to the negotiation process.

launch discussions

Implies a more proactive and deliberate beginning to the talks.

open dialogue

Emphasizes the interactive and conversational aspect of the exchange.

set up a dialogue

Focuses on the planning aspect of organizing a dialogue or conversation.

establish contact

Focuses on the initial act of communication rather than the subsequent discussion.

kick off talks

A more informal and colloquial way to express the beginning of talks.

get the ball rolling on discussions

Idiomatic expression suggesting starting a process of discussion.

FAQs

What does "initiate talks" mean?

To "initiate talks" means to start a conversation, discussion, or negotiation, often in a formal or official setting. It implies taking the first step to begin a dialogue.

How can I use "initiate talks" in a sentence?

You can use "initiate talks" by specifying who is starting the conversation and with whom, like "The government decided to "initiate talks" with the rebel group".

What are some alternatives to "initiate talks"?

Alternatives include "begin negotiations", "start discussions", or "open dialogue", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "initiate talks" formal or informal?

"Initiate talks" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, using phrases like "start talking" or "begin a conversation" may be more appropriate.