open a discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"open a discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to discuss a certain topic or start a conversation. For example, "Let's open a discussion about the benefits of renewable energy sources".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

"I want to open a discussion about the split between top management and the rest of the employees".

The Economist

Written in both Navajo and English, it serves to open a discussion about living wills and advance directives.

The New York Times - Health

Do Mr. Brooks and other conservatives really want to open a discussion on special interest money in politics?

The New York Times

Tim Tebow has had enough success to at least open a discussion about the possibility of the college style run system going mainstream in the N.F.L.

The New York Times

But if their ideas open a discussion about measuring the social costs of our financial products, that alone would be a step forward.

The New York Times

The [Samaras] victory doesn't change this fact and it has become unavoidable to open a discussion about the shape and form of a new Greek programme.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Next Sefako opened a discussion about responsibility for teen sex.

The New York Times - Magazine

The TV reporter has opened a discussion on an often overlooked subject: the intimidation women often feel while watching sports.

The Guardian - Sport

This section opens a discussion of such concerns.

IZA Journal of Development and Migration

Geometric multiscale processing is presented and this opens a discussion about electronic implementation.

Image and Vision Computing

The authors shared their experience and opened a discussion with other centers that deal with severe, accidental hypothermia.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "open a discussion" when you want to encourage a collaborative exchange of ideas rather than a one-sided presentation.

Common error

Avoid always opting for overly formal alternatives like "instigate a discourse" when "open a discussion" conveys the message clearly and directly. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "open a discussion" functions as a verb phrase that aims to initiate or introduce a conversation or exchange of ideas. Ludwig highlights its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "open a discussion" is a versatile phrase used to initiate conversations across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a verb phrase, aiming to encourage dialogue and exploration of a topic. While suitable for both formal and informal settings, it leans towards a neutral or professional register. The phrase is commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science" sources. Alternatives include "start a conversation" or "initiate a dialogue", depending on the desired level of formality. When using the phrase, consider your audience and choose the tone that best fits the context. Ludwig AI confirms that it is usable in written English, and widely applicable in several contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a conversation

Focuses on initiating an informal exchange of ideas.

initiate a dialogue

Emphasizes a more formal and structured exchange.

raise a question

Highlights bringing up a specific point for consideration.

introduce a topic

Focuses on presenting a subject matter.

launch a debate

Suggests a more argumentative and formal discussion.

begin a consultation

Implies seeking advice or opinions from others.

foster communication

Highlights promoting open and effective interaction.

stimulate discourse

Suggests encouraging thoughtful and extended discussion.

table a proposal

Involves formally presenting an idea for consideration.

kick off a brainstorming session

Implies starting a creative problem-solving activity.

FAQs

How can I use "open a discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "open a discussion" to introduce a topic or suggest a conversation. For example, "The professor aimed to "open a discussion" about the ethical implications of AI."

What phrases are similar to "open a discussion"?

Alternatives to "open a discussion" include "start a conversation", "initiate a dialogue", or "raise a question", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "open a discussion" in formal writing?

Yes, "open a discussion" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, as it clearly conveys the intention to begin a conversation or exploration of a topic.

What's the difference between "open a discussion" and "launch a debate"?

"Open a discussion" implies a broader, more exploratory conversation, while "launch a debate" suggests a more structured and potentially argumentative exchange.