spark a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "spark a conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express the idea of beginning a conversation. For example, "We wanted to spark a conversation about the continued relevance of classic literature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We'd like to spark a conversation about collaborative teaching," Sattely said.

Stanford University

The day's purpose, said Weld, was to spark a conversation about all aspects of immigration.

Harvard University

Alexander clearly intended for his essay on Stanich's demise to spark a conversation about journalistic responsibility.

The New Yorker

Perhaps sensing something amiss, a waiter on a recent evening attempted to spark a conversation between two neighboring tables: "Look!

The New Yorker

What follows are a few thoughts on diversification that might spark a conversation about money in your home or office.

The New York Times

The goal of the roundtable was to spark a conversation on the intersections between Digital Humanities and Hispanic Studies.

University of California, Berkeley

It seeks to spark a conversation among younger-career scientists about how to have a fulfilling career in science.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

— Jeff Gordinier Leite's Culinaria: Vietnamese iced coffee sparks a conversation.

The New York Times

And as readers' reactions show, the pieces sparked a conversation about an important topic.

The New York Times

Exchanging business cards is not just a way of sparking a conversation.

The Economist

Technology has narrowed the distance between designers and consumers and sparked a conversation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spark a conversation" when you want to express the idea of initiating a dialogue or discussion, especially around a specific topic or issue.

Common error

Avoid using "spark a conversation" in passive constructions where the initiator is unclear. For instance, instead of saying "A conversation was sparked", specify who or what sparked the conversation to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark a conversation" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of initiating or stimulating a discussion. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, reinforcing this primary grammatical function. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spark a conversation" is a versatile and frequently used expression to describe the act of initiating a dialogue or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability. It functions primarily as a verb phrase with the purpose of encouraging interaction and engagement around a particular subject. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, including news media, academia, and formal business settings. While many alternatives exist, like "ignite a conversation" or "initiate a conversation", the core meaning remains consistent: to set off a meaningful exchange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ignite a conversation

Replaces "spark" with "ignite", emphasizing the act of setting off a conversation.

trigger a conversation

Uses "trigger" instead of "spark", highlighting the act of prompting a conversation.

stimulate a conversation

Employs "stimulate" instead of "spark", focusing on the act of encouraging active conversation.

initiate a conversation

Replaces "spark" with "initiate", directly referring to the beginning of a conversation.

foster a conversation

Uses "foster" to suggest nurturing and promoting a conversation.

prompt a discussion

Substitutes "conversation" with "discussion", implying a more formal exchange.

generate a conversation

Uses generate which refers to start or originate a conversation.

launch a discussion

Replaces "conversation" with "discussion", implying a more formal exchange.

open up a dialogue

Emphasizes the act of making a dialogue or conversation possible.

encourage dialogue

Focuses on the act of promoting a conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "spark a conversation" to describe initiating a discussion. For example, "The article aimed to "spark a conversation" about climate change".

What can I say instead of "spark a conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "ignite a conversation", "initiate a conversation", or "prompt a discussion" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "spark a conversation" or "trigger a conversation"?

Both ""spark a conversation"" and "trigger a conversation" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Spark" implies initiation, while "trigger" suggests a reaction or response.

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

"Spark a conversation" implies igniting interest and engagement, while "start a conversation" is a more general term for simply beginning a dialogue.