initiating conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initiating conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of starting a dialogue or discussion with someone. Example: "She has a talent for initiating conversation with strangers, making everyone feel at ease."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"Listen to me very carefully" seems to be her preferred phrase for initiating conversation.

The New York Times - Arts

4. ENGAGE WITH A QUESTION: Turn the way you end your pitch into a question, thus initiating conversation.

Yale University

An individual suffering from the cognitive symptoms of HD may have difficulty effectively prioritizing his or her daily activities, initiating conversation or activities, recalling memories or making decisions.

Stanford University

While one individual may have difficulty initiating conversation, another may have very little difficulty initiating, but severe difficulty word-finding (an aspect of memory recall).

Stanford University

Although there are a number of communication problems that may arise for people with HD, the most common communication difficulties are four: speaking clearly, initiating conversation, organizing what is to be said and understanding what is being said.

Stanford University

Dating websites now have a lot of data on their users and how they interact, and I hope they use their expertise to better advise users, including those with disabilities, on strategies that can be helpful in building profiles and initiating conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Wow, I've got to stop initiating conversations with strange men on the street.

The New Yorker

This is where initiating conversations with students is important.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

I had a hard time speaking up or initiating conversations, and I thought my shyness was a weakness.

Forbes

As a child, I was timid and quiet, not even initiating conversations before age six.

Huffington Post

The best way to amend this is by initiating conversations with co-workers and superiors alike.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to connect with someone new, consider starting with an open-ended question related to a shared experience or environment to effectively "initiating conversation".

Common error

Avoid generic or overly formal openings. Instead of stressing about the "perfect" first sentence to "initiating conversation", focus on being genuine and responding naturally to the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initiating conversation" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the act or process of starting a conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used. It is frequently found modifying verbs of action or describing a specific skill.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initiating conversation" is a grammatically correct and very common gerund phrase that describes the act of starting a dialogue. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it sees widespread use across diverse contexts, spanning from informal social exchanges to formal professional settings. While generally neutral in register, its specific level of formality can be influenced by the source itself. The phrase is found most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki. When aiming to start a conversation, it's advised to be genuine and focus on responding naturally to the context. If you're looking for alternatives, consider options such as "starting a conversation" or "opening a dialogue", among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starting a conversation

Focuses on the action of beginning a dialogue.

starting a dialogue

Similar to "starting a conversation" but implies a more structured exchange.

beginning a discussion

Emphasizes the commencement of a more formal exchange.

opening a dialogue

Highlights the act of making a dialogue accessible or available.

launching a conversation

Presents conversation starting as something actively instigated.

kickstarting a discussion

Emphasizes the act of energizing or initiating a lively discussion.

sparking a dialogue

Highlights the initial moment that causes conversation to erupt.

introducing a topic

Focuses on the act of bringing up a specific subject for discussion.

raising a question

Highlights the act of posing a question to prompt discussion.

broaching a subject

Implies a more delicate or sensitive approach to starting a conversation.

FAQs

What are some effective strategies for "initiating conversation" with someone new?

Consider asking open-ended questions related to the environment or a shared experience. For example, commenting on the event or asking for their opinion on something relevant.

What's a less formal way to say "initiating conversation"?

Alternatives include "starting a conversation", "striking up a chat", or "getting a dialogue going" depending on the context.

How does "initiating conversation" differ from "leading a conversation"?

"Initiating conversation" refers to starting the dialogue, while "leading a conversation" implies guiding or directing the discussion once it's already underway.

Is it always necessary to be the one "initiating conversation"?

No, conversational reciprocity is ideal. However, in some situations, such as networking events or when meeting new people, taking the initiative to "initiating conversation" can be beneficial.