routine conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "routine conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a typical or everyday discussion that is not particularly significant or formal. Example: "During our routine conversation, we discussed our weekend plans and caught up on each other's lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

level official for having a routine conversation with a reporter.

The Washington Post

Once upon an age, this was a routine conversation in New York, skilled blue-collar workers talking union.

The New York Times

We suggest that audience design depends on the memory representations to which speakers have ready access given the time constraints of routine conversation.

Cognition

Page A17 UNION TROUBLES IN NEW YORK Once upon an age, union talk among skilled blue-collar workers was a routine conversation in New York.

The New York Times

Nigger did cuss prodigiously in routine conversation, using both Anglo-Saxon monosyllables and Latinate polysyllables, often employing "mother" as a prefix.

Independent

"I would describe it as common knowledge, because it was a topic of routine conversation among kids that this was going on".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

These were just routine conversations.

The New York Times

As Egyptair 990 climbed to 33,000 feet, its cockpit crew had several routine conversations with ground controllers, the last at 1 47 a.m., officials said.

The New York Times

Georgetown stumbled onto problems with Ernst's recruiting methods in late 2017 as admissions officers were having routine conversations with high school counselors and other educators.

The Washington Post

Now I hear it all the time: on Tuesday, in the course of routine conversations, no fewer than four people told me that Mubarak had been better than Morsi.

The New Yorker

Ominously, however, the two sides could not even agree yesterday what the talks would be about: the Brown camp suggested they must inevitably involve arrangements for the transition, while Number 10 insisted they were just routine conversations.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "routine conversation" to denote everyday, commonplace discussions that lack specific significance or unusual content. For instance, describe interactions at work or home that are typical and uneventful.

Common error

While "routine conversation" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise language might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like "standard communication" or "typical exchange" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "routine conversation" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "routine" modifies the noun "conversation". It describes a type of conversation that is typical, ordinary, or regularly occurring. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "routine conversation" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes an everyday, unremarkable discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it's important to consider the context; more formal alternatives might be preferable in academic or highly professional settings. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with significant presence in science and business as well. When aiming to convey ordinariness in dialogue, "routine conversation" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyday discussion

Emphasizes the common and ordinary nature of the discussion.

typical exchange

Focuses on the standard and expected pattern of communication.

ordinary chat

Highlights the casual and informal aspect of the conversation.

common discourse

Refers to a familiar and regular interaction.

regular dialogue

Stresses the repetitive and habitual nature of the exchange.

standard communication

Implies an established and unremarkable form of interaction.

usual banter

Suggests a lighthearted and casual form of routine exchange.

normal interaction

Emphasizes that the interaction is not out of the ordinary.

garden-variety discussion

Highlights the unremarkable and commonplace quality of the discussion.

run-of-the-mill exchange

Suggests the exchange is average and unremarkable.

FAQs

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

You can use "routine conversation" to describe everyday, commonplace discussions. For example: "During our "routine conversation", we discussed the weather and our weekend plans."

What are some alternatives to "routine conversation"?

Alternatives to "routine conversation" include "everyday discussion", "typical exchange", or "ordinary chat" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "routine conversation" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "routine conversation" may sound too informal for academic or highly professional contexts. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "standard communication" or "regular dialogue".

What distinguishes a "routine conversation" from a regular conversation?

A "routine conversation" specifically implies that the discussion is typical, commonplace, and lacks significant or unusual content, whereas a regular conversation is a general term for any exchange of words.