thread of discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thread of discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the ongoing topic or series of exchanges in a conversation or dialogue. Example: "Throughout the meeting, we kept returning to the same thread of discussion about budget allocation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The thread of discussion constantly twists.

The New York Times

The chapter concludes this thread of discussion with one final example.

Sketching User Experiences Getting the design right and the right design

Here, though, I have to choose: Do I try to stay within the 15-minute hemline, or do I open a new thread of discussion and fall behind schedule for the rest of the day?

The Washington Post

"In honour of your caption, please could you initiate a tenuous bar snack related thread of discussion following on from your earlier 'KP: can he be England's golden wonder?' caption.

The Guardian - Sport

This was the thread of discussion on the final day of the World Economic Forum on Africa.

Huffington Post

However, only registered members could create a topic (' thread') of discussion under which they could type comments (' posts'), either initiating conversations or responding to others' comments.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Here at The Book Bench, Ligaya Mishan led a long thread of discussions about Roberto Bolaño's novel "2666".

The New Yorker

For example, Associate Professor Nick Reid and Professor Patrick D. Nunn have analysed stories from Indigenous coastal communities and have seen a thread of discussions about the rise of tidal waters that occurred between 6,000 and 7,000 years ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Current threads of discussion include a scrutiny of the angle of the holes in the wood and their alignment.

The New York Times

We've been transcribing these mini conferences and putting them on the Web and there's also a fairly sophisticated system for the participants to log on and make comments about anything that we've posted, make comments about any of the discussions that were posted from the conferences or initiate your own threads of discussion.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The power of stories and seeking the facts were primary threads of discussion among the nine speakers during Friday's event, the first of the "MIT and the Legacy of Slavery" dialogues that will engage the MIT community in considering responses to the course findings.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "thread of discussion" to maintain consistency when referring to an ongoing conversation topic in a formal context.

Common error

Avoid combining "thread of discussion" with unrelated metaphors. For example, don't say "the thread of discussion was a tangled web", as it creates a confusing image.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thread of discussion" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a grammatically correct phrase used to denote a specific topic or line of reasoning within a conversation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thread of discussion" is a grammatically sound and useful term for denoting a specific topic or line of reasoning within a conversation or written work. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not exceptionally frequent, it appears across various contexts, including news media, scientific publications, and academic discourse. Alternatives like "topic of discussion" or "line of discussion" can be used for variety, but maintaining a consistent metaphor is key. The phrase’s neutral to formal register makes it suitable for a range of settings, and understanding its function aids in clear and coherent communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

line of discussion

Replaces "thread" with "line", focusing on the sequential aspect of the discussion.

topic of discussion

Substitutes "thread" with "topic", emphasizing the subject being discussed.

point of discussion

Replaces "thread" with "point", highlighting a specific item being discussed.

subject of discussion

Similar to "topic of discussion", but more formal.

area of discussion

Focuses on a broader scope within the discussion.

theme of discussion

Emphasizes a recurring idea or concept in the discussion.

aspect of discussion

Highlights a particular facet of the discussion.

focus of discussion

Points to the central element that is being discussed.

course of discussion

Describes the direction the discussion is taking.

angle of discussion

Highlights a specific perspective within the discussion.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "thread of discussion" in a sentence?

Use "thread of discussion" to refer to a specific topic or idea that is being explored within a conversation or written piece. For instance, "The "main thread of discussion" revolved around budget cuts."

What phrases are similar to "thread of discussion"?

Alternatives include "topic of discussion", "line of discussion", and "subject of discussion". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "thread of discussion" or "threads of discussion"?

Use "thread of discussion" when referring to a single, continuous topic. Use "threads of discussion" when multiple, distinct topics are being explored. Context will dictate the correct form.

What's the difference between "thread of discussion" and "chain of discussion"?

"Thread of discussion" implies a connected, ongoing topic, while "chain of discussion" emphasizes a series of connected exchanges or responses. The former focuses on the subject, the latter on the interaction.