they were discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were discussing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation or dialogue that took place in the past involving multiple people talking about a specific topic. Example: "During the meeting, they were discussing the new marketing strategy and its potential impact on sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal policy discussions.

Huffington Post

They were discussing slang expressions.

The New Yorker

They were discussing bonus caps.

The New York Times

They were discussing politics.

The New Yorker

They were discussing Zionism.

The New York Times

They were discussing the problems of clergy".

The New Yorker

They were discussing their Internet stocks.

The New York Times

Over in the Lords they were discussing hunting.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

They did not want to be identified because they were discussing a continuing investigation.

The New York Times

"They were so curious, I found out they were discussing it in the schoolyard," she says.

Vice

The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sealed evidence.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were discussing" to clearly indicate a past conversation involving multiple participants. It's straightforward and easily understood.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. Consider whether an active voice construction might be more direct and engaging. For instance, instead of "The plans were discussed by them", you could write "They discussed the plans".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were discussing" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an action (discussing) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, often indicating ongoing conversations or deliberations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were discussing" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally used to describe a past conversation or deliberation involving multiple participants. It is mostly found in News & Media sources, suggesting a neutral register. Related phrases include "they talked about" and "they had a conversation about", offering slight variations in meaning and formality. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by avoiding the unnecessary preposition "about" and consider the potential for more direct active voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they talked about

Uses a more general term, "talked", which might lack the specific focus implied by "discussing".

they were talking over

Implies a more casual and possibly less structured conversation.

they had a conversation about

Replaces the verb "discussing" with a noun phrase, making the sentence slightly more formal.

they deliberated on

Suggests a more formal and careful consideration of a topic.

they conferred about

Indicates a consultation or exchange of views, often in a professional setting.

they negotiated the terms of

Specifies that the discussion involved negotiation, adding a layer of detail about the interaction.

they exchanged views on

Highlights the exchange of different perspectives rather than just the act of discussing.

they debated

Indicates a more argumentative discussion with opposing viewpoints.

they held a dialogue regarding

Presents a more structured and formal exchange.

they canvassed

Implies soliciting opinions or information from many people.

FAQs

What's the difference between "they were discussing" and "they discussed"?

"They were discussing" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "they discussed" simply states that a discussion happened at some point. The former emphasizes the process, while the latter focuses on the event.

What can I say instead of "they were discussing"?

You can use alternatives like "they talked about", "they were talking over", or "they had a conversation about" depending on the context.

Is "they were discussing about" grammatically correct?

No, "they were discussing about" is incorrect. The word "discuss" doesn't need the preposition "about". The correct form is "they were discussing".

How to use "they were discussing" in a sentence?

Use "they were discussing" to describe a past event where multiple people were engaged in a conversation. For example, "At the meeting, they were discussing the budget cuts." or "They were discussing the latest news when I walked in".