to start discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to start discussion" is not entirely correct in standard written English; it should be "to start a discussion." You can use it when you want to indicate the initiation of a conversation or dialogue on a particular topic.
Example: "The purpose of this meeting is to start a discussion about our upcoming project and gather everyone's input."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Beyond that, they plan to continue helping to start discussion groups.

The New York Times

While there may be an idea to start discussion, favourite television programmes, for example, each session is shaped by what the group wants, says Raimondi.

The Guardian

Nevertheless, the marketplace jitters spurred Italy's deadlocked parliament to move with uncharacteristic urgency, agreeing to start discussion of the emergency measures on Wednesday, with the aim of adopting them as early as the weekend, several lawmakers said.

The New York Times

The increasing popularity of e-cigarettes presents a particular opportunity in this regard, and we therefore suggest a possible policy response in order to start discussion in this area.

International Journal of Drug Policy

It is therefore envisaged that the dissemination workshop, which will take place in 2012, should be organised in connection with a NORMAN Expert Group meeting with invited experts in ecotoxicology and in passive sampling (analytical aspects) to start discussion about the possible routes to match the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) established under the WFD with passive sampling results.

Environmental Sciences Europe

For more Information on the stillning schedule and think please go theatersincareationfilm.com.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I want it to start discussions.

The New York Times - Arts

"We agreed to start discussions, and we agreed to end discussions unanimously".

The New York Times - Arts

They spoke of reconciliation and tried to start discussions with Mr Thaksin.

The Economist

That has not happened, but the E.U. agreed to start discussions anyway.

The New York Times

The centers plan to start discussions with state and territorial health officials on Friday.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more polished tone, consider using alternatives like "to initiate a discussion" or "to begin a discussion" instead of "to start discussion".

Common error

While "to start discussion" is sometimes acceptable, the more standard and grammatically correct phrasing is "to start a discussion". Always include the article 'a' unless you have a strong reason to omit it (e.g., in very informal contexts or when aiming for brevity).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to start discussion" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It describes the intended action or goal, specifically to initiate a dialogue. This is evident in examples where it indicates the reason for a meeting or a suggested policy.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to start discussion" is used to indicate the initiation of a dialogue or conversation. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI hints that it's often more appropriate to include the article 'a' and use the form "to start a discussion". As indicated by the search results, it appears in a range of sources, from news media and scientific publications to wikis, indicating a somewhat neutral level of formality. If a more polished tone is desired, alternatives such as "to initiate a discussion" or "to begin a discussion" may be preferable. Remember to always consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to initiate discussion

Replaces "start" with a more formal synonym, "initiate".

to begin discussion

Substitutes "start" with "begin", offering a slightly more formal alternative.

to commence discussion

Employs "commence" in place of "start", resulting in a more formal and deliberate tone.

to open up a discussion

Adds "open up a" to emphasize broadening the conversation.

to launch a discussion

Uses "launch" to convey a more active and purposeful start.

to spark a discussion

Implies igniting interest and engagement through the discussion.

to foster discussion

Focuses on creating an environment conducive to discussion.

to trigger discussion

Suggests that something prompts or causes the discussion.

to instigate discussion

Implies a deliberate action to provoke discussion, potentially contentious.

to facilitate discussion

Emphasizes making the discussion easier and more effective.

FAQs

What's the difference between "to start discussion" and "to start a discussion"?

While both phrases are used, "to start "a discussion"" is generally considered more grammatically correct and common in standard English. The omission of the article "a" in "to start discussion" is acceptable in informal contexts or when aiming for brevity.

What are some alternatives to "to start discussion" that sound more formal?

More formal alternatives include "to initiate "discussion"", "to commence "discussion"", or "to begin "discussion"".

Is "to start discussion" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase isn't entirely correct. Although "to start discussion" is understandable, it's often preferable to say "to start "a discussion"" for better grammatical correctness.

How can I use "to start discussion" in a sentence?

You might use it like this: "The purpose of this meeting is "to start discussion" about the new marketing strategy.". However, it's generally better to phrase it as "to start "a discussion"" for clarity and grammatical accuracy.