point of conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "point of conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific topic or subject that is being discussed in a conversation. Example: "The point of conversation during the meeting was the new marketing strategy and its potential impact on sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Glancing around George's flat, the young psychiatrist looked for a point of conversation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For example, Barzun describes the starting point of conversation as contradiction: but democratic manners, that is to say American, will not tolerate this.

The Guardian

We must understand that for Rutherford and Locke, and for the Founding Fathers, the bottom line was not an abstract point of conversation over a tea table; at a creation point it had to be acted upon.

The New Yorker

A favorite point of conversation between the pair is their mutual love of pooches; Guest herself owns 10 dogs and is on the board of the Humane Society of New York.

The New York Times - Style

One major point of conversation is the role, or rather lack of one, for the Commonwealth in solving the crisis.The Commonwealth dumped Fiji in 2009, but in so doing it accomplished little beyond pushing the budding dictatorship closer to China, which has for years been cosying up to the region's leaders.

The Economist

Around the city, the standoff between Mr. Emanuel and Ms. Lewis has become a point of conversation, with some suggesting that the sheer size of the personalities involved had exacerbated the substantive divide over issues like teacher evaluations, the rehiring of laid-off teachers to new jobs and pay.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The idea, it seems, is to create a kind of network of sorts, where the ads become points of conversation in their own right.

TechCrunch

There is a fear that we will enter a conversation not being completely up-to-date, but what is the point of a conversation if all we are exchanging are the facts we already know?

TechCrunch

The tweets continued: "What was the point of this conversation?

The New Yorker

That's the whole point of this conversation.

The Guardian

-Do you need to reproduce the precise words or is it enough to recreate the general feeling or point of the conversation?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "point of conversation" when you want to emphasize a specific topic or subject that is central to an interaction or discussion. It helps to clarify the focus and direction of the dialogue.

Common error

Avoid using "point of conversation" loosely when the actual focus of the discussion is multifaceted or unclear. Ensure the identified point is genuinely the primary subject and not a minor aspect of the conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "point of conversation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific topic or subject that is being discussed. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "point of conversation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to identify the central topic or subject under discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, its versatility allows it to be employed across various contexts, primarily in news and media, but also in scientific and wiki environments. When writing, it's best to use "point of conversation" when you want to focus attention on the core subject being discussed, ensuring clarity and relevance. Consider alternatives like "topic of discussion" or "subject of conversation" for similar meanings, and avoid using the phrase when the actual focus is ambiguous or multifaceted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

topic of discussion

Focuses more on the subject being discussed.

subject of conversation

Similar to topic of discussion, emphasizing the theme being talked about.

talking point

Highlights a specific issue designed to be discussed.

focus of discussion

Emphasizes the central element being discussed.

matter under discussion

A more formal way to refer to the topic being considered.

issue at hand

Indicates the problem or subject currently being addressed.

theme of discussion

Highlights the underlying subject that recurs in the conversation.

gist of the conversation

Focuses on the main idea or essence of the discussion.

core of the discussion

Highlights the most important part of the conversation.

central theme

Implies a recurrent idea or subject that drives the conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "point of conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "point of conversation" to highlight the main topic being discussed, like: "The main "point of conversation" was the budget cuts."

What's a more formal alternative to "point of conversation"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "subject of discussion" or "matter under discussion" to maintain a professional register.

Is "point of conversation" interchangeable with "talking point"?

While both terms relate to discussion, "talking point" often refers to a specific, pre-prepared message, whereas "point of conversation" simply refers to the main topic being discussed. They are not always interchangeable.

What is the difference between "point of conversation" and "course of conversation"?

"Point of conversation" refers to a specific topic being discussed, while "course of conversation" describes the general direction or flow that a discussion takes over time.