steer the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"steer the discussion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to guide or control the content of a conversation or conversation topic. For example, "The team leader was able to effectively steer the discussion towards the next steps for the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Gordon tried to steer the discussion back to the book.

The New Yorker

About forty minutes into the meeting, Wu attempted to steer the discussion toward illegality.

The New Yorker

The Mayor tried to steer the discussion in a new direction.

The New Yorker

He deferred to Mr. Douglas, the Vermont Republican, to steer the discussion.

The New York Times

Sulzberger kept trying to steer the discussion to the First Amendment: "Let's go back to why Judy went to jail.

The New Yorker

I'd purposely steer the discussion away from complex issues, like family dynamics, because they can't be dealt with in a mere 50 minutes.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The emergent design of our study implied that the analysis from the first focus group discussions helped to steer the discussions towards a deeper exploration of details in the following groups.

BMC Public Health

In our observations of effective presentations to commissioners, a few clear, brief messages were necessary to steer the discussions, otherwise the commissioning committees did not know how to respond.

BMC Health Services Research

Then he quickly steered the discussion toward the economy.

The New York Times

Khalilzad steered the discussion to a reconstruction program that he hoped the country would join.

The New Yorker

A dismissive comment about sleeping problems catches her attention, and she gently steers the discussion towards this.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "steer the discussion", be mindful of your audience and ensure your guidance is perceived as helpful and not manipulative. Subtlety is often key to effective steering.

Common error

Avoid dominating the conversation when trying to "steer the discussion". Instead, use open-ended questions and active listening to guide the conversation naturally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer the discussion" functions as a verb phrase, where "steer" is the verb indicating guidance or direction, and "the discussion" is the object representing the topic or conversation being guided. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "steer the discussion" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of guiding a conversation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It finds frequent use in news and media, as well as in scientific and formal business contexts. While the phrase is generally neutral to professional, successful usage requires a balance between guidance and domination, with sensitivity to the audience. Related phrases such as "guide the discussion" or "direct the discussion" offer alternative ways to convey similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide the discussion

Focuses more on providing direction, less on control.

direct the discussion

Emphasizes a more forceful approach to leading the conversation.

lead the discussion

A general term for taking control and guiding the conversation.

channel the discussion

Suggests guiding the conversation towards a specific outcome.

orient the discussion

Highlights the act of providing a clear focus or perspective.

focus the discussion

Highlights bringing the conversation to a key topic.

influence the discussion

Implies a more subtle and indirect method of steering.

shape the discussion

Suggests molding the content and flow of the conversation.

moderate the discussion

Implies neutrality while guiding the flow.

govern the discussion

Conveys a strong, authoritative control.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "steer the discussion" in a meeting?

Start by actively listening to the contributions of others. Then, use strategic questions and summaries to guide the conversation toward key objectives, making sure to validate everyone's input.

What are some alternatives to "steer the discussion" that imply less control?

Consider using phrases like "guide the discussion", "facilitate the discussion", or "moderate the discussion" to convey a more collaborative approach.

Is it appropriate to "steer the discussion" in a casual conversation?

While "steer the discussion" is suitable for formal settings, casual conversations benefit from a more organic flow. Instead of steering, focus on active listening and genuine engagement.

What's the difference between "steer the discussion" and "dominate the discussion"?

"Steer the discussion" implies guiding the conversation with finesse, while "dominate the discussion" suggests controlling it in a way that silences other participants. Effective communication involves steering without dominating.