participating in a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "participating in a conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of engaging or taking part in a discussion or dialogue with others. Example: "She enjoys participating in a conversation about current events during her lunch breaks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Through the Analects Confucians for centuries learned to reenact the awe-inspiring ritual of participating in a conversation with Confucius.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Justice Thomas spent a day meeting with faculty and students before participating in a conversation with Dean Minow.

Harvard University

That is no doubt correct, but even those who disagree with him and challenge his analyses will be participating in a conversation shaped by his contentions.

The New York Times

In the past few days, I've been participating in a conversation with a number of folks who believe there is an another, ideal candidate.

The Guardian - Opinion

If there is any silver lining to the Terri Schiavo story, it is that Americans are participating in a conversation about profound issues, from ethics and ontology to federalism and individual freedom.

The New York Times

The commander of a Queens police precinct was transferred to a lesser post after participating in a conversation laced with racist jokes about his supervisor, the Police Department's highest ranking Asian-American, officials said yesterday.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Unlike Twitter, not everyone can actually participate in a conversation; instead, a current participant must grant access.

MIT Technology Review

He was seeing things from another perspective, as he participated in a conversation within a framework constructed by Tino Sehgal.

The New York Times - Magazine

By the end of the first five credits, most beginners understand enough Spanish to participate in a conversation!

Columbia University

Acclaimed director Deepa Mehta, will screen her seminal film, Earth, and will participate in a conversation after the film.

Harvard University

Soon afterward, he participated in a conversation, for Flood, with Nadya Tolokonnikova, a member of the group, in which they discussed making art in troubled times.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using "participating in a conversation" to indicate active engagement and contribution to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is actively "participating in a conversation". Instead of "the conversation was participated in", use "the students participated in the conversation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "participating in a conversation" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of taking part in a discussion, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. It indicates active involvement rather than merely being present.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "participating in a conversation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes active engagement in a discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from diverse sources, including news, academia, and science. While not extremely common, it is a versatile phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "engaging in dialogue" or "contributing to a discussion", can provide nuanced ways to express similar ideas. Remember to avoid passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

engaging in dialogue

This alternative emphasizes the interactive and reciprocal nature of the exchange.

conversing with

This is a more direct and simple substitute, indicating a general act of talking.

taking part in discussions

This phrase highlights the action of joining an exchange of ideas.

contributing to a discussion

This emphasizes the act of providing input or ideas during the conversation.

involved in a discussion

This focuses on being included or implicated in the exchange.

in communication with

This suggests a broader sense of exchanging information, not necessarily a formal conversation.

sharing viewpoints

This centers on expressing one's own opinions and ideas in the conversation.

exchanging ideas

Focuses on giving and receiving ideas within the context of a conversation.

holding a conversation

Implies directing or conducting the conversation to a degree.

in conference

This alternative emphasizes a formal meeting for discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "participating in a conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "participating in a conversation" to describe someone actively taking part in a discussion. For example, "She enjoys "participating in a conversation" about current events."

What are some alternatives to "participating in a conversation"?

Some alternatives include "engaging in dialogue", "taking part in discussions", or "contributing to a discussion".

Is it correct to say "participating to a conversation" instead of "participating in a conversation"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "participating" in this context is "in". Therefore, "participating in a conversation" is the grammatically correct phrase.

What's the difference between "participating in a conversation" and "having a conversation"?

"Participating in a conversation" emphasizes active involvement and contribution, while "having a conversation" simply implies that a discussion took place, regardless of the level of engagement. To emphasize the action of engaging in an exchange of ideas, use the first one.