tenor of discourse

USAGE SUMMARY

"tenor of discourse" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the overall tone or direction of a conversation or written piece. You can use it in situations where you want to discuss the general theme or mood of a conversation or written piece. For example: - The tenor of discourse at the conference was quite tense, as participants debated the controversial topic of climate change. - The author's use of humor and irony shifted the tenor of discourse in his latest novel, adding a layer of complexity to the story. - The tenor of discourse on social media has become increasingly polarized, with people often resorting to personal attacks instead of engaging in constructive dialogue. - We need to carefully consider the tenor of discourse in our political discourse and strive to maintain a respectful and civil tone, even when we disagree with each other.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Are those the ideals expected of our highest leaders now? "The electorate is angry" is a weak and ridiculous excuse for allowing the current tenor of discourse.

Huffington Post

Figure 7, representing the description of tenor of discourse, shows both kinds of diacritics.

Functional Linguistics

[See Additional file 3: Appendix 3 for the glossary of options in figure 7]. Figure 7 concerns tenor of discourse.

Functional Linguistics

"This change can be seen as a dangerous repercussion in the tenor of discourse and experience over the past year," she wrote.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The tenor of the discourse in our society is particularly jarring to return home to after being away from it for awhile.

Huffington Post

There have been occasions when a film has even changed the tenor of public discourse.

The Guardian - Opinion

Without mentioning any examples, he said he bore responsibility for some of the tenor of political discourse lately.

The New York Times

"I'd much rather see a guy like Imus remain on the air" to "try to make amends and change the tenor of the discourse".

The New York Times

IN a speech delivered earlier this year, during Black History Month, Attorney General Eric Holder drew headlines by criticizing the tenor of public discourse on race.

The New York Times

Dr. Birnbaum said, "I think we need to lower the tenor of the discourse and look at what the research really is," and added that researchers who clash over conflicting results may actually have done different experiments.

The New York Times - Science

I care passionately about this issue (enough to start a company and invest a lot of my own time and money into solving it), but I'm frustrated by the tone and tenor of the discourse.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tenor of discourse" when you want to analyze and describe the overall quality or prevailing tone of a formal or public conversation, debate, or written work. It is particularly useful when discussing political or social issues.

Common error

Avoid using "tenor" interchangeably with "tone" in all contexts. While both relate to the quality of communication, "tenor" often implies a more sustained and pervasive characteristic of the discourse, whereas "tone" can refer to more transient or specific aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenor of discourse" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the prevailing character or quality of communication, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenor of discourse" refers to the overall tone, character, or quality of a conversation, debate, or written exchange. It is grammatically correct and most commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is most effective in formal settings when you aim to analyze and describe the prevailing quality of communication. When writing, remember that while related to "tone", "tenor" indicates a more sustained characteristic. Alternatives such as "tone of the discussion" or "nature of the conversation" may be more appropriate for informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tone of the discussion

Replaces "discourse" with "discussion", focusing on a more conversational context; more informal.

character of the dialogue

Substitutes "tenor" with "character" and "discourse" with "dialogue", shifting to a slightly more descriptive and less analytical perspective.

nature of the conversation

Emphasizes the inherent qualities of the exchange, using "nature" instead of "tenor"; suitable for informal settings.

spirit of the debate

Uses "spirit" to convey the underlying mood or attitude of the debate, implying a more emotional or ideological context.

atmosphere of the exchange

Focuses on the environment created during the interaction, using "atmosphere" to describe the overall feeling.

general trend of the conversation

Shifts the focus to the direction or pattern of the conversation, using "general trend" to indicate the overall movement.

prevailing mood of communication

Highlights the emotional state dominating the communication process, using "prevailing mood" to describe the emotional tone.

direction of the dialogue

Focuses specifically on the path or course the dialogue is taking, emphasizing the progression of ideas.

drift of the exchange

Implies a gradual shift or deviation in the exchange, using "drift" to suggest a subtle change in direction.

gist of the discussion

Refers to the main point or essence of the discussion, focusing on the core message being conveyed.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "tenor of discourse" in a sentence?

Employ "tenor of discourse" to characterize the overall mood, quality, or prevailing characteristic of a formal conversation or written exchange. For example, "The senator aimed to improve the "tenor of discourse" by adopting a more conciliatory approach."

What phrases can I use as alternatives to "tenor of discourse"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "tone of the discussion", "nature of the conversation", or "spirit of the debate".

What is the difference between "tenor of discourse" and "level of discourse"?

"Tenor of discourse" refers to the overall quality or tone, while "level of discourse" pertains to the sophistication or complexity of the language and ideas being discussed.

Is "tenor of discourse" appropriate for informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "tenor of discourse" is generally more suited for formal or academic contexts. In informal settings, phrases like "tone of the conversation" or "mood of the discussion" might be more fitting.