speculative conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speculative conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a discussion that involves conjecture, hypothesis, or theoretical ideas rather than concrete facts. Example: "During the meeting, we engaged in a speculative conversation about the future of technology and its impact on society."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

ZB of New York wrote: This is a suspect, and highly speculative, conversation; but if we must, it's rather simple, I think.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am no fan of the Queens icon, holding that a stitched and grinning white ball is not the face of fun, but this time withheld complaint and even joined in speculative conversations about him in our loge sector.

The New Yorker

After having a series of speculative conversations ("Does Prince have an enormous 'Earth Pix' folder? Or does he have to buy new satellite pictures of Earth each year?"), Ben and I decided to write a series of memos imagining what art directors would have said to Prince over the years.

The New Yorker

ZHU's "Moves Like Ms Jackson," a clever, pitched-down mash-up of Outkast's hits, burst onto SoundCloud in February, 2014 without an artist name attached, sparking speculative conversations about the producer's identity and prompting those who knew Zhu to dole out tidbits on Reddit and EDM blog forums.

Vice

And occasionally, as in a speculative, teasing conversation between June and Eddie on marital infidelity, he gives truly organic and particular life to the play's basic arguments.

The New York Times

The last thing you want, really, is issues to be dealt with on the hoof I think sometimes speculative discussions can encourage responsible conversation and can be useful.

BioSocieties

It all comes down to how certain the uncertainty was and whether the analysts' conversations were simply more speculative talk about a speculative company.

The New York Times

"Until such time the prime minister provides greater clarity with the commonwealth's propose tax reform package, any CAF discussion would only be speculative and add little to the national conversation.

The Guardian

"Until such time the prime minister provides greater clarity with the commonwealth's proposed tax reform package, any CAF discussion would only be speculative and add little to the national conversation.

The Guardian

But over here, the conversation must go on, and it has adopted a new, increasingly speculative, trope.

The New Yorker

"It's purely speculative".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "speculative conversation", provide context to clarify the basis of the speculation. This helps to avoid misinterpretations and adds credibility to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid presenting the conclusions from a "speculative conversation" as definitive facts. Clearly indicate that the ideas discussed are based on conjecture and require further investigation or evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speculative conversation" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "speculative" modifies the noun "conversation". This indicates the conversation is characterized by conjecture, hypothesis, or guesswork. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "speculative conversation" aptly describes discussions rooted in conjecture rather than concrete facts. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While suitable for exploring possibilities and generating ideas across various registers, it's crucial to contextualize its use and avoid presenting speculative conclusions as definitive truths. Alternative phrases, such as "hypothetical discussion" or "conjectural dialogue", can be employed to adjust the emphasis based on the specific context. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hypothetical discussion

Replaces 'conversation' with 'discussion' and 'speculative' with 'hypothetical', emphasizing the conditional nature of the talk.

theoretical exchange

Substitutes 'conversation' with 'exchange' and 'speculative' with 'theoretical', highlighting the abstract and intellectual aspect.

conjectural dialogue

Replaces 'conversation' with 'dialogue' and 'speculative' with 'conjectural', stressing the element of guesswork and uncertainty.

exploratory talk

Uses 'talk' instead of 'conversation' and 'exploratory' for 'speculative', focusing on the investigative nature of the discussion.

presumptive discourse

Replaces 'conversation' with 'discourse' and 'speculative' with 'presumptive', indicating that the discussion is based on assumptions.

suppositional exchange

Substitutes 'conversation' with 'exchange' and 'speculative' with 'suppositional', highlighting the discussion's reliance on assumed conditions.

unproven discussion

Replaces 'speculative' with 'unproven', emphasizing the lack of factual basis for the conversation.

tentative deliberation

Uses 'deliberation' instead of 'conversation' and 'tentative' for 'speculative', indicating caution and uncertainty.

academic speculation

Focuses on the nature of "academic" speculation, which is, based on existing evidence, theory and knowledge.

abstract discussion

Replaces 'speculative' with 'abstract', focusing on the theoretical or conceptual, rather than practical, nature of the discussion.

FAQs

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

You can use "speculative conversation" to describe discussions that involve guesswork or hypothetical scenarios. For instance, "The team engaged in a "speculative conversation" about potential market trends".

What's the difference between "speculative conversation" and "theoretical discussion"?

While both involve non-factual elements, "speculative conversation" often implies a higher degree of uncertainty or guesswork compared to a "theoretical discussion", which is usually grounded in some established theory.

Are there contexts where "speculative conversation" is inappropriate?

Yes, it may be inappropriate in situations requiring precise factual information or when making critical decisions based on evidence. In such cases, emphasize verified data over "speculative conversation".

What are some alternative phrases to "speculative conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "hypothetical discussion", "conjectural dialogue", or "exploratory talk" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For example, "conjectural dialogue" emphasizes guesswork.