to be in discussion with

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be in discussion with" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which you are speaking with someone about something in order to reach an agreement, e.g. "I'm in discussion with my supervisor about a new project I'm working on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We'll continue to be in discussion with them".

The New York Times

Representatives of Gul Agha Shirzai, the governor of the southern Afghan city of Kandahar, are said to be in discussion with about 15 of the fugitives.

Independent

In it, Papa MassataDiack appeared to be in discussion with a Qatari contact over "parcels" to be delivered to six influential IOC members identified only by their initials at a time when it was bidding for the 2016 Olympics.

The Guardian - Sport

There were also rumours of a deal to be in discussion with Walsall, though concerns were raised over whether the pitch could cope with the demands that two teams playing regularly would cause.

Independent

However, competition has already emerged as landlords for 10 to 15 sites were understood to be in discussion with Ashley's rival Philip Day, the owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill, who has offered to pay more than House of Fraser currently pays in rent on those sites.

The Guardian - Business

They are also now believed to be in discussion with other manufacturers about getting the system adopted as industry standard.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"We continue to be in discussions with his attorney to resolve remaining concerns".

The New York Times

A Janus spokeswoman, Jane Ingalls, said, "We continue to be in discussions with regulators".

The New York Times

At least one other banker is said to be in discussions with American authorities.

The New York Times

BellSouth had been rumored to be in discussions with Loral Space and Communications, a G.E. rival in the satellite industry.

The New York Times

Chen is said to be in discussions with two other institutions to continue his advocacy and research.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the subject of discussion immediately following the phrase to provide immediate clarity to your reader, for example, "to be in discussion with stakeholders regarding new project timelines".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "to be in discussion with" as a generic placeholder. Replace it with more descriptive verbs such as "negotiating", "consulting", or "collaborating" for precision and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be in discussion with" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating an ongoing communicative exchange between parties. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in a wide variety of formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be in discussion with" is a prepositional phrase denoting active communication between parties, often with the intent of reaching an agreement or resolving an issue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While frequently found in news and business settings, its use in more informal contexts is less common. When using the phrase, clarity regarding the subject and purpose of the discussion is crucial. Although the phrase itself is a valid and useful expression, it is important not to overuse it in your writing. Consider using more descriptive verbs, such as "negotiating" or "consulting", depending on the specific context. This will make your writing sound more precise and engaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in talks with

Uses "talks" instead of "discussion", a slightly more concise and commonly used alternative.

to be negotiating with

Replaces "discussion" with "negotiating", implying a more formal and potentially contentious dialogue.

to be in consultation with

Substitutes "discussion" with "consultation", suggesting seeking advice or expertise.

to be engaged in dialogue with

Substitutes "discussion" with "dialogue", suggesting a more structured and purposeful conversation.

to be in conversation with

Replaces "discussion" with "conversation", indicating a more casual and informal exchange.

to be conferring with

Replaces "discussion" with "conferring", suggesting a more deliberate and official exchange of views.

to be liaising with

Uses "liaising" instead of "discussion", implying coordination and communication between parties.

to be communicating with

Replaces "in discussion" with "communicating", indicating a general exchange of information.

to be corresponding with

Replaces "discussion" with "corresponding", which indicates communication primarily through written means.

to be hammering out details with

This more idiomatic alternative suggests intense discussion focused on resolving specific issues.

FAQs

What does "to be in discussion with" mean?

It means to be actively engaged in conversations or talks with someone, typically with the aim of reaching an agreement or understanding.

What can I say instead of "to be in discussion with"?

You can use alternatives like "to be negotiating with", "to be in consultation with", or "to be in talks with" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "to be in conversation with" or "to be in discussion with"?

"To be in conversation with" suggests a more informal exchange, while "to be in discussion with" implies a more structured or purposeful dialogue.

How can I use "to be in discussion with" in a sentence?

For example, you might say: "The company is currently to be in discussion with several potential investors" or "We are to be in discussion with the local council regarding the new development plans."