undertake a dialogue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertake a dialogue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of engaging in a conversation or discussion, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "In order to resolve the conflict, we must undertake a dialogue with all parties involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Adolescent Participation in Situation Assessment and Analysis (UNICEF, CYP 2001) Policy-makers and development practitioners who undertake a dialogue to take beneficiaries' views often face constraints.

Unicef

Research and strategic direction Adolescent Participation in Situation Assessment and Analysis (UNICEF, CYP 2001) Policy-makers and development practitioners who undertake a dialogue to take beneficiaries' views often face constraints.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Malinsky's lawyers had said in interviews that they undertook a dialogue with prosecutors that resulted in Mr. Malinsky's agreeing to be voluntarily interviewed by the government.

The New York Times

We are ready to respond and, in the coming days, will send an IMF fact-finding team to Kiev to undertake a preliminary dialogue with the authorities.

The Guardian

Turkish officials have urged Mr. Assad to undertake a national dialogue that would include the Muslim Brotherhood, perhaps even bringing that group into the government by granting it two ministries.

The New York Times

If ETA's violence, repulsive as it is, is a symptom of the Basque conflict, and not the sole cause of it, then someone, sooner or later, is going to have to undertake a truly open-ended dialogue between Madrid and Basque nationalism.

The New York Times

Diplomats say it was China's deft footwork that made the talks possible so soon after the Iraq war, when some worried that the Bush administration would be disinclined to undertake a prolonged and potentially inconclusive dialogue with North Korea.

The New York Times

A8 Russian Seeks Dialogue Foreign Minister Igor S. Ivanov said Russia and the United States should undertake an "active and meaningful" dialogue to develop defenses against ballistic missiles in trouble spots, but he reiterated Moscow's opposition to any American plan for a national missile defense shield.

The New York Times

Russia's foreign minister said today in Geneva that his country and the United States should undertake an "active and meaningful" dialogue as soon as possible to develop defenses against ballistic missiles in troubled parts of the world.

The New York Times

The idea, diplomats say, is to undertake a group process that will itself be therapeutic, even if the dialogue yields few consensual decisions about Yemen's political future.

The New York Times

He said Wefaq was willing to undertake "meaningful dialogue" with the government in a bid to end ongoing unrest.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertake a dialogue" when you want to emphasize a formal or serious commitment to engaging in conversation, especially when addressing complex or sensitive issues.

Common error

Avoid using "undertake a dialogue" in casual conversations; opt for simpler phrases like "have a chat" or "talk" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertake a dialogue" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of starting or engaging in a conversation, especially one that is formal or significant. As per Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "undertake a dialogue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies the commencement of a formal or serious discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable expression. It is most commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. For less formal situations, consider alternatives like "begin a conversation". While the phrase carries a professional or neutral tone, be mindful of its appropriate application to avoid sounding overly formal in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initiate a discussion

Replaces "dialogue" with "discussion" focusing on initiating the exchange.

begin a conversation

Uses more informal terms "begin" and "conversation" to convey the same idea.

engage in talks

Emphasizes the active involvement in discussions.

hold discussions

Highlights the act of organizing and conducting discussions.

enter into negotiations

Focuses on the negotiation aspect of the dialogue.

start a consultation

Implies a more formal and advisory type of dialogue.

launch a discourse

Replaces "dialogue" with "discourse" suggesting a more formal and extended discussion.

open a line of communication

Emphasizes establishing a channel for ongoing communication.

foster an exchange

Highlights the reciprocal sharing of ideas and information.

conduct deliberations

Suggests a formal and thorough process of discussion and consideration.

FAQs

How to use "undertake a dialogue" in a sentence?

You can use "undertake a dialogue" to describe initiating a serious discussion, as in, "The government must "undertake a dialogue" with the opposition to resolve the crisis".

What can I say instead of "undertake a dialogue"?

Alternatives include "initiate a discussion", "begin a conversation", or "engage in talks", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "undertake a dialogue"?

It's best to use "undertake a dialogue" in formal settings, such as business meetings, policy discussions, or when addressing sensitive social issues, where a serious and committed conversation is required.

Which is correct: "undertake a dialogue" or "undertake dialogue"?

"Undertake a dialogue" is the correct phrasing because the indefinite article "a" is necessary before the singular noun "dialogue" to maintain grammatical accuracy.