parallel discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "parallel discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used when referring to a discussion about two or more different topics that are happening at the same time. For example: "The two groups of participants had a parallel discussion on environmental sustainability and economic growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

A post on The Gloss responded to this discussion, creating a parallel discussion.

The New Yorker

There has been a parallel discussion, one that begins from the ground up, starting with a family, a household, a town.

The Guardian - Opinion

Respectable types took to the airwaves to argue that the preoccupation with this parallel discussion was a diversion from matters of more moment.

The New York Times

The Islamic discussion of nuclear weapons is profoundly intertwined with a parallel discussion of suicide bombing that is also taking place in the Muslim world.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are aware that Ticketus has also been, at their own instigation, in parallel discussion with one of the other bidders over the last few weeks and it remains to be seen whether these discussions will be taken forward".

BBC

The European debate has the potential to influence a parallel discussion on behavioral advertising under way in the United States, where the Federal Trade Commission has also expressed concern about the sufficiency of the opt-out approach.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

These issues can be pursued in parallel discussions.

The New York Times

The Montreal conference has parallel discussions under way on the two pacts.

The New York Times

The discovery of the treasures has sparked two parallel discussions in the city: what should be done to secure it?

The New York Times

George R. Nethercutt Jr. (Op-Ed, May 26) notes that advocates of normal trading relations with China say that trade talks are not the appropriate place for resolving differences on human rights or security, and that these issues can be pursued in parallel discussions.

The New York Times

The play's deft weave includes parallel discussions of skiing across both time periods and a delicious segue from the adjectival form of Naples in the first act to much fuss about the capital of Morocco in the second.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “parallel discussion” when you want to emphasize that different aspects of the same subject are being addressed separately and simultaneously, often with the intention of bringing the insights together later.

Common error

Avoid using "parallel discussion" when the discussions are happening one after another. "Parallel" implies simultaneity. If the discussions are consecutive, use phrases like "subsequent discussions" or "follow-up discussions" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "parallel discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. For example, "The Montreal conference has /s/parallel+discussions under way on the two pacts."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "parallel discussion" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe simultaneous discussions on related topics. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various domains, including News & Media and Science. When employing the phrase "parallel discussion", clarity is key: ensure the relationship between the discussions is evident to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "concurrent conversation" and "simultaneous exchange" offer similar meanings, though "parallel" specifically emphasizes the co-occurrence of the discussions. Remember to use "parallel discussion" only when the discussions are genuinely simultaneous, and not sequential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

parallel discourse

A formal alternative, using "discourse" to denote a serious and extended discussion.

concurrent conversation

This alternative highlights the simultaneous nature of the conversation, emphasizing that it's happening at the same time.

concurrent deliberation

Using "deliberation" emphasizes a more formal and careful consideration of the issues.

concomitant discussion

A more formal and less common way to express that discussions are happening at the same time and often in connection with each other.

simultaneous exchange

This phrase replaces "discussion" with "exchange" to emphasize the active interchange of ideas occurring at the same time.

side-by-side conversation

This alternative provides a visual image, suggesting that discussions are placed adjacent to each other.

related conversation

While "related" is semantically close, this option focuses on the subject matter of each conversation instead of the timing.

corresponding exchange

A conversation where there is information being traded on both sides in relation to each other.

comparable exchange

Here, "comparable" is used to highlight that the subject matters covered are similar between the conversations.

collateral dialogue

The term "collateral" suggests that the conversations support or complement the primary discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "parallel discussion" to describe situations where multiple discussions are happening concurrently on related topics. For example, "The conference featured a /s/series+of+parallel+sessions series of parallel sessions, each addressing a different aspect of climate change".

What's a good substitute for "parallel discussion"?

Depending on the context, you could use "concurrent conversation", "simultaneous exchange", or "related conversation" as alternatives to "parallel discussion".

Is it correct to say "parallel discussions are happening"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "parallel discussions are happening" indicates that multiple discussions are taking place at the same time, often on related or similar subjects.

What is the difference between a "parallel discussion" and a "follow-up discussion"?

A "parallel discussion" occurs simultaneously with another discussion, often on a related topic. A "follow-up discussion", on the other hand, happens after an initial discussion and builds upon it.