stream of conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"stream of conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a back-and-forth dialogue between two or more people. For example, "The two politicians engaged in a lively stream of conversation about the state of the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Morse, visibly fatigued, maintained his constant stream of conversation and commentary.

The New Yorker

Having hundreds of friends and a constant stream of conversation happening day and night looks extremely sociable.

The Guardian - Tech

A slender 95 pages, told in a sometimes cryptic stream of conversation, "Time of Women" was not favored to win the Booker Prize, and some critics dripped contempt.

The New York Times

He would certainly like such a service: his nights alone in his apartment, alone in his office, alone in his car, could feel less alone with a steady stream of conversation percolating online.

The New York Times - Magazine

My masseur, a wiry man whose steady stream of conversation would doubtless have been informative if I had understood it, kneaded, pummeled and manipulated bone, skin, and muscle with thorough professional skill and a good amount of determination.

The New York Times - Travel

He began a stream of conversation with himself (sarcastic: "Oh, that was a good shot, Rod"), with the ball ("You rotten ball"), with the racquet (haughty: "The ball too high for you?"), with the net ("Hitting your tape enough?") and with the kid who made a good shot ("Rats!").

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

After joining, you can view and participate in a stream of conversations around a given topic.

TechCrunch

You can target your ads to users that have certain desired keywords in their profile description, or in their stream of conversations.

Forbes

My first two years felt as though it was a never-ending stream of conversations and card swapping, with a desperate daily recap of who was who and what was supposed to happen next.

BBC

Hot Potato is releasing an iPhone app which lets you create a stream of conversations around events based both on your location and what your friends are doing.

TechCrunch

When you first open the website or the desktop app, it looks pretty similar to other enterprise social networks — a stream of conversations and shared content from your coworkers.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: this phrase works well when emphasizing the ease and naturalness of the dialogue, contrasting it with more stilted or formal interactions.

Common error

While "stream of conversation" is widely understood, it might sound too informal or casual in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise or professional terms like "sustained dialogue" or "continuous discourse" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stream of conversation" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in a stream of conversation") or as a subject complement. It describes the ongoing nature of dialogue, as highlighted by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stream of conversation" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that effectively describes a continuous flow of dialogue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a valid expression readily found in various sources. While versatile, consider the register and context, opting for more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. Remember to focus on the natural and uninterrupted aspect when using this phrase, and explore related expressions like "continuous dialogue" for nuanced communication. Ultimately, "stream of conversation" paints a vivid picture of fluid and dynamic verbal exchange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constant exchange of words

Focuses on the continuous and reciprocal nature of the communication.

continuous flow of dialogue

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the verbal exchange.

uninterrupted verbal exchange

Highlights the lack of pauses or interruptions in the communication.

ongoing discussion

Suggests a formal or structured conversation that is in progress.

sustained communication

Emphasizes the endurance and maintenance of the communicative process.

nonstop chatter

Implies a rapid and possibly trivial form of continuous talking.

steady flow of talk

Highlights the consistent and regular nature of the speech.

constant verbal communication

Focuses on the persistent and spoken nature of the communication.

perpetual dialogue

Suggests a seemingly endless and ongoing exchange.

continuous exchange of remarks

Emphasizes the ongoing and back-and-forth nature of comments.

FAQs

How can I use "stream of conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "stream of conversation" to describe a continuous and flowing exchange of words between people. For example, "Their dinner was accompanied by a lively "stream of conversation"."

What are some alternatives to "stream of conversation"?

Alternatives to "stream of conversation" include "continuous dialogue", "uninterrupted verbal exchange", or "ongoing discussion" depending on the specific context.

Is "stream of consciousness" related to "stream of conversation"?

While both phrases use the word "stream", "stream of consciousness" refers to a narrative technique depicting the inner thoughts of a character, whereas "stream of conversation" describes the actual exchange of words between individuals. They are related by using similar figurative meaning of word "stream", but in a different context.

When is it appropriate to use "stream of conversation" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "stream of conversation" when you want to emphasize the natural, flowing, and continuous aspect of a dialogue or discussion. Avoid it in highly formal or technical contexts where more precise language is needed.