strike a conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

"strike a conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to start talking with someone. For example, "John was so friendly that it was easy to strike up a conversation with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Own one of the most recognizable rings in the world and instantly strike a conversation with a fellow MIT graduate at any social or networking event.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

If he was by himself, he wouldn't be for long because some kid would come up and strike a conversation with him".

The New York Times - Sports

To keep it even more informal, strike a conversation about any upcoming college events or extra-curricular activities or ask for his/her feedback about your progress in the class.

Stanford University

We are training ourselves to feel at ease chatting with a stranger when we interact with a screen, but we would not dare strike a conversation with a stranger at the bus stop.

The Guardian

It required you to talk profanely or switch on your webcam or pretend to be an American girl to strike a conversation.

TechCrunch

The idea here is to visualize these items so when you start the app in a restaurant for example, you can scan what interests the guests there have and strike a conversation with people you wouldn't have met otherwise.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Tinder popularized the "double opt-in," meaning that users must mutually agree to connect before striking a conversation.

TechCrunch

I tried to strike up a conversation.

The New York Times

So strike up a conversation with someone.

The New York Times

We strike up a conversation with Mike McBride, an electrician there.

The Washington Post

Knowing when to strike up a conversation comes naturally.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strike a conversation" when you want to convey initiating a conversation, especially in a context where it might require some effort or boldness.

Common error

Avoid using "strike a conversation" in highly formal or academic writing; alternatives like "initiate a discussion" or "begin a dialogue" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strike a conversation" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of initiating a conversation. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

27%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "strike a conversation" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for indicating the initiation of a conversation. According to Ludwig, it finds frequent use in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki sources. While generally acceptable, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "initiate a dialogue". As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a valid and useful part of the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spark a conversation

Emphasizes the sudden or exciting beginning of a conversation.

start a discussion

Uses "start" instead of "strike", and "discussion" instead of "conversation", implying a more purposeful exchange.

kick off a discussion

Similar to 'start a discussion', but with a more informal and energetic tone.

engage in conversation

Focuses on the act of participating in a conversation, rather than initiating it.

get a conversation going

Highlights the act of setting a conversation in motion.

initiate a dialogue

Replaces "conversation" with the more formal "dialogue", suggesting a more structured exchange.

open a dialogue

Similar to 'initiate a dialogue', this phrase emphasizes initiating a formal exchange of ideas.

foster a dialogue

Indicates encouraging and nurturing a conversation, usually in a formal setting.

break the ice

Refers specifically to initiating conversation in a social setting to reduce awkwardness.

make small talk

Implies a casual, often superficial conversation, typically used to fill silence.

FAQs

How to use "strike a conversation" in a sentence?

"Strike a conversation" is used to describe the act of starting a conversation. For example, "He found it easy to "strike a conversation" with anyone he met".

What can I say instead of "strike a conversation"?

You can use alternatives like "initiate a dialogue", "start a discussion", or "spark a conversation" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "strike a conversation" or "strike up a conversation"?

Both ""strike a conversation"" and "strike up a conversation" are used, but "strike up a conversation" is more common.

What's the difference between "strike a conversation" and "have a conversation"?

"Strike a conversation" implies initiating a conversation, while "have a conversation" simply refers to the act of participating in one.