they discussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they discussed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used part of a sentence in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that two or more people talked about a topic or issue. Example: "They discussed the upcoming election and shared their opinions on the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

They discussed Marty's report.

The New Yorker

They discussed potential projects.

Independent

Probably they discussed religion.

The New York Times - Arts

They discussed their predicament.

The New York Times - Sports

Here's what they discussed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They discussed hunting separately.

The New York Times

They discussed these things.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

They discuss circumcision.

The New Yorker

They discuss the bid.

The Guardian

They discuss Hitler, same.

The Guardian - Film

They discuss problems.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they discussed" when you want to indicate a formal or structured conversation about a particular topic. Be specific about what was discussed to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid vague sentences like "They discussed the issue". Instead, specify what aspects of the issue were discussed: "They discussed the budget constraints and potential solutions."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they discussed" functions as the main verb in a sentence, indicating that a conversation or exchange of ideas occurred between two or more people. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they discussed" is a grammatically sound and highly frequent phrase used to indicate that a conversation or exchange of ideas took place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard English grammar rules. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting seamlessly into various contexts. To enhance clarity, it's best practice to specify the topic of discussion rather than leaving it vague. Alternatives like ""they talked about"" or ""they considered"" can be used to add nuance. Remember to avoid the incorrect form "they discussed about". All things considered, "they discussed" is a useful and versatile phrase for conveying conversational events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they talked about

Emphasizes the act of talking about a topic without necessarily implying a structured discussion.

they had a conversation about

A more general and less formal way of saying "they discussed".

they debated

Highlights the presence of differing opinions and arguments.

they considered

Focuses on the aspect of thinking carefully about something, which may have been part of the discussion.

they negotiated

Implies that the discussion was aimed at reaching an agreement.

they conferred on

Suggests a more formal and official consultation.

they exchanged views on

Highlights the sharing of different opinions and perspectives.

they touched upon

Indicates a brief or superficial discussion of a subject.

they went over

Implies a review or examination of something in detail.

they thrashed out

Suggests a vigorous and potentially contentious discussion aimed at resolving a problem.

FAQs

How to use "they discussed" in a sentence?

You can use "they discussed" to indicate that a conversation took place about a specific topic. For example, "They discussed the project timeline and resource allocation".

What can I say instead of "they discussed"?

You can use alternatives like "they talked about", "they considered", or "they conferred on" depending on the context.

Is "they discussed about" grammatically correct?

No, "they discussed about" is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "they discussed", without the preposition "about".

What's the difference between "they discussed" and "they debated"?

"They discussed" implies a general conversation, while "they debated" suggests a more formal argument or exchange of opposing views.