stir conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stir conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to initiating or provoking discussion among people. Example: "The speaker's engaging anecdotes were sure to stir conversation among the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"It really comes from a place of knowing what historically has done well," he said, "and what generally tends to stir conversation".

The New York Times

The cover story for the July/August issue of The Atlantic is one bound to stir conversation — as it was meant to.

The New York Times

The study is the latest effort from the Center on Longevity's Sightlines initiative to stir conversation about what leads to long, healthy living.

Stanford University

"It's hard to imagine another mainstream entertainment that a studio can feel safe investing in - and that a director knows is going to stir conversation and thought.

The Guardian - Film

Joyce sat at one of the desks in Mission Control on a recent afternoon taking a sweep through hockey Internet sites, blogs and message boards, hoping to find a topic that might stir conversation among Devils fans.

The New York Times - Sports

The State of Delaware All of this litigation is apt to stir conversation among the corporate bar about whether Delaware is too lenient or too harsh on investment banks and companies.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But the doughnut-licking incident has stirred conversation not just among her fans, but other celebrities.

The Guardian - Music

It encourages understanding, and does so by bringing almighty questions down to a human perspective, and stirs conversation through connection.

Huffington Post

The issue of whether a middling team should make the playoffs over one with a strong record has stirred conversations on barstools and sports-talk radio broadcasts.

The New York Times - Sports

It would stir the conversation about earning home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and add to the wide-eyed talk of a Giants-Jets Super Bowl.

The New York Times - Sports

Professor Clement Price, a historian at Rutgers-Newark history who hosted the event, had already warned that he hoped the screening would stir up conversation about whether the film "feeds into the perception of Newark as an uncivil and acrimonious town".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "stir conversation" with a specific subject or action to clarify the focus of the intended discussion, for example, "The documentary aims to stir conversation about climate change."

Common error

Avoid using "stir conversation" in situations where a simple discussion is expected. This phrase is best reserved for instances where the discussion is intended to be significant or potentially challenging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stir conversation" functions as a verb phrase where "stir" acts as a transitive verb taking "conversation" as its direct object. It describes the action of initiating or provoking discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase correctly conveys the intent to start a conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stir conversation" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the act of initiating or provoking discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as in academic writing, where it serves to highlight the intention of prompting dialogue, often on important or sensitive topics. Alternative phrases such as "spark a discussion" or "ignite a dialogue" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using this phrase, it's best to reserve it for instances where the discussion is intended to be significant or potentially challenging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a discussion

Replaces "stir" with "spark", implying a quicker and more immediate initiation of conversation.

ignite a dialogue

Uses "ignite" to suggest a more energetic and passionate start to the conversation, framing it as a formal exchange.

prompt a discussion

Emphasizes the act of urging or encouraging a discussion.

foster debate

Highlights the nurturing of a formal and structured argument.

encourage dialogue

Focuses on the act of promoting an open and cooperative conversation.

initiate a conversation

Indicates the beginning or starting of a conversation, keeping it simple and direct.

generate buzz

Implies creating excitement and widespread interest that leads to conversation.

fuel discussions

Suggests providing the energy or materials to keep a conversation going.

promote exchange of ideas

Focuses on facilitating the sharing of different viewpoints.

provoke thought

Emphasizes the act of stimulating thinking as a precursor to conversation, instead of directly inciting discussion.

FAQs

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

Use "stir conversation" when you want to indicate that something is intended to provoke or instigate a discussion. For example, "The controversial art exhibit was designed to stir conversation about societal norms."

What can I say instead of "stir conversation"?

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

Is it better to say "stir conversation" or "start conversation"?

"Stir conversation" implies a more deliberate attempt to provoke discussion, often on a specific or controversial topic. "Start conversation" is more neutral and simply refers to the beginning of a discussion.

What's the difference between "stir conversation" and "encourage dialogue"?

"Stir conversation" often suggests sparking debate or discussion around a specific topic, while "encourage dialogue" implies fostering a more open and cooperative exchange of ideas.