steer the discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steer the discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate guiding or directing the course of conversations or debates. Example: "As the moderator, my role is to steer the discussions towards productive outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gordon tried to steer the discussion back to the book.

The New Yorker

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

The New Yorker

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

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

They have prepared questions that will steer the discussion away from the fiery topics the Greens and Labor want to pursue.

The Guardian - Business

We must work together to keep this hope alive, as we agreed to at the Group of 8 meeting in Lough Erne in Northern Ireland in June, and steer the discussion back toward negotiations.

The New York Times

In an interview on Wednesday, Mr. Pastrana said he wanted to steer the discussion away from the fight against drug trafficking and the annual aid Colombia would need to finance the effort.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facilitating a discussion, prepare key questions in advance to help "steer the discussions" toward relevant topics and objectives.

Common error

Avoid dominating the conversation while trying to "steer the discussions". Ensure all participants have an opportunity to contribute and share their perspectives. Active listening is crucial for inclusive and productive dialogue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer the discussions" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of guiding or directing a conversation. As per Ludwig, the phrase is deemed grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "steer the discussions" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-toned expression used to describe guiding or directing conversations. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is deemed correct and useful in various contexts, from science and news to formal business settings. While not exceedingly common, it offers a balanced approach to facilitating dialogue, suitable for use cases where subtle guidance is favored over rigid control. When using this phrase, remember to prepare thoughtfully in advance and value inclusive discussions. Alternatives such as "guide the discussions" or "direct the discussions" can offer nuanced variations of the same core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guide the discussions

Emphasizes direction and support, suggesting a more facilitative approach.

direct the discussions

Implies a more authoritative role in managing the conversation's path.

manage the discussions

Focuses on controlling the flow and content of the conversations.

influence the discussions

Highlights the impact on the conversation's outcome or direction.

shape the discussions

Suggests forming or molding the conversation's content and tone.

channel the discussions

Implies guiding the conversation along a specific route or toward a particular goal.

orient the discussions

Focuses on setting the direction or perspective of the conversation.

shepherd the discussions

Suggests a gentle and protective guidance of the conversation.

moderate the discussions

Highlights the act of presiding over and regulating the conversation.

navigate the discussions

Implies skillful guidance through potentially complex or challenging conversation topics.

FAQs

How can I use "steer the discussions" in a sentence?

You can use "steer the discussions" to describe the act of guiding a conversation. For example, "The moderator's role is to steer the discussions towards a resolution."

What's a good alternative to "steer the discussions"?

Alternatives include "guide the discussions", "direct the discussions", or "manage the discussions". Each carries a slightly different nuance of control and influence.

What is the difference between "steer the discussions" and "control the discussions"?

"Steer the discussions" suggests a more subtle guidance, whereas "control the discussions" implies a firmer, more dominant approach. Steering allows for flexibility and participant input, while controlling may limit it.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "steer the discussions"?

It's appropriate in contexts where you want to guide a conversation productively without being overly controlling. This is useful in meetings, debates, and facilitated group discussions.