raise a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise a conversation" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "raise a topic" or "start a conversation." You can use it when you want to initiate a discussion or bring up a subject for dialogue.
Example: "During the meeting, I would like to raise a conversation about our marketing strategy for the upcoming quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I decided to take a risk and raise a conversation.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Fawcett and Higginson paper raised a lively conversation on possible causes for the effect.

CBE Life Sciences Education

When the lights came up, the zappers, fists raised, began a conversation about gay women.

The New Yorker

That was the question raised in a conversation about theatre, grassroots and activism that took place at the Senedd in Cardiff last Saturday.

The Guardian

According to Jay Glazer, the FoxSports.com reporter who broke the story, the topic was raised during a conversation between Favre and Matt Millen, the Lions' president at the time, while they were discussing a potential hunting trip.

The New York Times - Sports

Every once in a while during our conversations, Davutoglu would raise a finger and say, "This you can quote".

The New York Times - Magazine

"For instance, if somebody opened an exotic lingerie store in the middle of the town green, I think that would raise an awful lot of conversation, and so we eliminated that possibility.

The New York Times

The most relevant internet comment people seem to be able to muster is "vote," which raises a whole separate conversation, but the crux for me is, "Of course ― and what else?" Politics is an increasing disaster that can be seen as both a cause and a symptom.

Huffington Post

Despite my interlocutor's unfortunate attempt to use poly identity as an excuse for shitty treatment of his girlfriend, the conversation did raise an interesting question for me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This conversation raises a serious question about the judgment of the Assistant Secretary of State in dealing with the complexities of Europe and the difficult Ukrainian issue.

Huffington Post

Let them react to the issues you raise, and have a conversation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the more grammatically sound phrase "start a conversation" to clearly convey the intention of beginning a discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "raise" with abstract nouns like "conversation." Instead, use "raise" with more concrete nouns, such as "raise a question" or "raise awareness", or choose verbs like "start" or "initiate" when referring to abstract concepts like conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise a conversation" functions as an attempt to describe the act of initiating a discussion. Although Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as not correct in standard English, its intended meaning is generally understood from the context of its usage in various sources.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "raise a conversation" appears in various sources, including news and media outlets, it is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as such, recommending alternatives like "start a conversation", "initiate a discussion", or "bring up a topic". Although its intended meaning is usually clear from context, it is best to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and precision in writing and speech. While examples of usage exist, they do not validate the phrase's grammatical correctness. Using better phrasing is advisable for formal and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

start a conversation

Replaces "raise" with "start", offering a grammatically standard alternative.

initiate a discussion

Uses more formal language to convey the action of beginning a conversation.

bring up a topic

Focuses on introducing a specific subject within a conversation.

open a dialogue

Implies a more formal and structured conversation.

introduce a subject

Highlights the act of making a topic known for discussion.

spark a discussion

Emphasizes the potential for an energetic or engaging conversation.

prompt a conversation

Suggests causing a conversation to begin.

broach a subject

Implies carefully introducing a sensitive or challenging topic.

foster a dialogue

Focuses on nurturing and encouraging an ongoing conversation.

table a topic for discussion

Presents a topic formally, often for consideration in a structured setting.

FAQs

What is a more appropriate way to say "raise a conversation"?

Instead of "raise a conversation", use phrases like "start a conversation", "initiate a discussion", or "bring up a topic" which are grammatically correct and commonly used.

Is "raise a conversation" grammatically correct?

No, "raise a conversation" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The verb "raise" is typically used with more concrete nouns or specific points, not with broad concepts like "conversation".

When is it acceptable to use "raise" in a similar context?

You can use "raise" when referring to specific points within a discussion, such as "raise a question" or "raise an issue". These usages are grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "raise a conversation" and "start a conversation"?

"Raise a conversation" is not a standard English phrase. "Start a conversation" is the correct and widely accepted way to express initiating a discussion.