promote discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"promote discussion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage people to engage in conversation on a certain topic. For example, "The professor encouraged students to promote discussion about current events in the classroom."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You do a lot to promote discussion about being mixed.

The New Yorker

This was his role: to encourage, and promote, discussion.

The New York Times - Sports

Its British playwright, Beau Hopkins, said he had hoped the play would promote discussion about homosexuality.

The Guardian

The document will, however, probably be used mainly to promote discussion, analysts said.

The New York Times

"It's not by censoring everything that you're going to promote discussion".

The New York Times - Arts

"Until that's done, we won't be able to give divergent opinions and promote discussion," he said.

The New York Times

On-line media forums have become common vehicles to promote discussion about particular issues or events.

The Social Science Journal

There is a need for transparent common criteria to promote discussion and understanding.

Environmental Impact Assessment Review

Along the trail there are signs with questions, created by the children, that promote discussion about life issues and emotions.

The New York Times

Participants have been invited to submit guest posts to this blog to promote discussion.

University of California, Berkeley

But this time, that is exactly what his patrons say they want, to promote discussion, even controversy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "promote discussion", ensure the context clearly defines the topic or area that the discussion should revolve around. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid constructions like "Discussion should be promoted" as it weakens the impact. Instead, use active voice: "The moderator should "promote discussion"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "promote discussion" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating an action taken to encourage conversation or deliberation. As shown in Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to describe efforts to spark dialogue in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "promote discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe actions taken to encourage conversation and the exchange of ideas. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. To use it effectively, specify the topic for clarity and prefer active voice. Consider alternatives like "foster dialogue" or "encourage debate" to fine-tune the tone. Steer clear of passive constructions. By following these tips, you can ensure your writing is clear, concise and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate discussion

Focuses on starting a discussion.

foster dialogue

Replaces "promote discussion" with a more formal and collaborative tone.

encourage debate

Emphasizes the aspect of differing opinions and argumentation.

stimulate conversation

Highlights the initiation of talk and exchange.

facilitate discourse

Uses a more technical term for structured communication.

spark deliberation

Implies a more thoughtful and careful consideration.

generate conversation

Focuses on the creation of talk.

incite conversation

Suggests a more provocative or controversial start.

advance dialogue

Indicates progression of conversation

cultivate conversation

Emphasizes the nurturing and development of conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "promote discussion" to describe actions intended to encourage dialogue. For example: "The teacher used open-ended questions to "promote discussion" among students."

What are some synonyms for "promote discussion"?

Alternatives include "foster dialogue", "encourage debate", or "stimulate conversation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "promote discussion" or "encourage discussion"?

Both "promote discussion" and "encourage discussion" are grammatically correct. "Promote" suggests a more active effort to bring about discussion, while "encourage" implies fostering an environment where discussion is more likely to occur.

What's the difference between "promote discussion" and "initiate discussion"?

"Promote discussion" implies sustaining and expanding a conversation, whereas "initiate discussion" ("initiate discussion") focuses on starting one.