threads of conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "threads of conversation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the various topics or lines of discussion that emerge during a dialogue or exchange. Example: "As we sat around the table, the threads of conversation wove together, touching on everything from politics to personal anecdotes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

(SubReddit is a name for a subject forum where a thread or threads of conversation develop on the site).

The New York Times

Without the shared time, week in and week out, it's hard to find the loose threads of conversation that dangled in the air among us.

The New York Times

Threads of conversation rise from the hubbub: "I mix Vaseline with sulphur and cover my entire body"; "The more you try to prove you're not crazy, the more crazy they think you are"; "The whole medical community is part of this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In between articles, Promoveo discussion boards are rich threads of conversation about nuanced, ongoing research that can eliminate redundant experiments or inspire new strains of hypothesis testing.

TechCrunch

They track Olympic-related tweets (only English tweets are used to keep things simple), which they then analyze and visualize according to their various topics and threads of conversation, showing the tone of each one.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

In most places in Europe, you can muddle along, comparing words, finding semantic echoes, forming your own mnemonics, picking up threads of conversations around you.

Independent

Mr. Keating hunted for a thread of conversation.

The New York Times

She had trouble with names and the thread of conversation.

The New Yorker

In trying to transcribe an interview with Christopher Calonje, avid birder and organizer of the Colombian Bird Fair in Cali, I realized how often we broke our thread of conversation because of a bird.

Huffington Post

There's something surprisingly moving, not necessarily in any one thread of conversation, but in the way it begins to click together, the way the lives knit and build so freely, having amassed so much time.

Vice

Hence a continual thread of conversation in the living room that began, "Have you seen these?" Now it was Uncle Herb's turn, and frankly I thought he had already put in more than his share of time with the whole ocean thing.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "threads of conversation" to effectively describe the multiple, interwoven topics discussed in a group or ongoing dialogue. This phrase works well when you want to highlight the complexity and interconnectedness of the discussion.

Common error

While "threads of conversation" is a vivid phrase, it can sound unnecessarily complex in contexts where a simpler term like "topics" or "subjects" would suffice. Reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize the intricate and interconnected nature of the discussion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "threads of conversation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the various interconnected topics or lines of thought within a dialogue, illustrating how different ideas weave together. Ludwig highlights its correct usage across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Wiki

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "threads of conversation" is a grammatically correct and evocative phrase used to describe the interconnected nature of topics within a discussion. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "topics of conversation", it's particularly useful when emphasizing the complex relationships between different ideas being discussed. Keep in mind it leans slightly formal but is generally suitable for news and media, and scientific writing. Choose it when you want to convey a sense of interconnectedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lines of discussion

Focuses more on the structured or planned aspect of the conversation.

topics of dialogue

Highlights the subjects being discussed rather than the flow or connection between them.

strands of discourse

Implies a more formal or academic setting compared to everyday conversation.

interwoven dialogues

Emphasizes the complex and interconnected nature of the discussions.

ongoing discussions

Stresses the continuous or prolonged aspect of the conversation.

connected narratives

Suggests a story-like quality to the conversation, with each part linking to the next.

overlapping exchanges

Focuses on the interactive and reciprocal nature of the conversational elements.

converging viewpoints

Highlights how different opinions or ideas come together during the discussion.

shared understandings

Stresses the common ground or agreements reached through conversation.

communal narratives

Implies a collective story or history that emerges from the group's conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "threads of conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "threads of conversation" to describe the interconnected topics that arise during a discussion. For example, "As we explored the topic of climate change, several interesting "lines of discussion" emerged, creating multiple "threads of conversation".".

What are some alternatives to "threads of conversation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "lines of discussion", "topics of dialogue", or "strands of discourse". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the structure, the content, or the formality of the conversation.

Is "threads of conversation" a formal or informal phrase?

"Threads of conversation" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase. It's suitable for academic papers, news articles, and professional communications, but might sound a bit elevated in very casual settings.

What's the difference between "threads of conversation" and "topics of conversation"?

"Threads of conversation" implies an interconnectedness and flow between different subjects being discussed, whereas "topics of conversation" simply refers to the individual subjects themselves. Use "threads of conversation" when you want to emphasize how the different subjects are related and weave together.