usual conversation

USAGE SUMMARY

'usual conversation' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to refer to the typical, everyday kind of conversation people have. For example, "The usual conversation in the office centered around the weekend plans of the employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Some parts of society may speak more pungently than others, but our usual conversation is closer to Charles Bovary's than we might like — a sidewalk on which everyone else's opinions and phrases have walked.

The New Yorker

In an interview in his sprawling Park Avenue office, all the N.F.L.'s top man wants to talk about is New York, so much so that he bypasses the usual conversation ice-breakers.

The New York Times

He was alert and made the usual conversation about going to his favourite public houses for drinks.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

"We had the usual conversation," Abasin said.

Los Angeles Times

Engage in some usual conversation.

Huffington Post

After the usual refreshments, and the usual conversation, the evening came upon us.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Increasingly Bookslut became a home for writers on more obscure work, and eschewed the usual conversation-grabbers".

The Guardian - Books

— and it was a welcome change from our usual conversations, lately involving aging parents and physical therapy.

The New York Times

Such discussions reached inside the Giants' locker room, sprinkled amid the usual conversations regarding strategy, injury reports and the relevance of previous matchups.

The New York Times - Sports

The usual conversations about loyalty, logic and the transgression of the "Prime Directive" are generally held while hanging off the edge of a collapsing building, punching a running adversary in the face or being fried alive in a nuclear reactor.

The Guardian - Film

What [Leveson] has said is we need to distinguish between organisations that have a lot of power and therefore can do a lot of harm, as opposed to just the usual conversations that happen.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "usual conversation" to describe commonplace discussions, especially when highlighting a contrast with something unexpected or significant.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "usual conversation" if more specific descriptions (e.g., small talk, debate, negotiation) better capture the nuances of the interaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "usual conversation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a kind of interaction or exchange of words that is commonplace or expected.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "usual conversation" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe everyday discussions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Its frequency and appearance in reputable sources, such as The New York Times and The Guardian, highlight its broad acceptance. While versatile, it's important to consider if more specific terms would better capture the context. The analysis reveals that this phrase serves to categorize commonplace interactions, often contrasting them with something out of the ordinary. Thus, when aiming for precision and clarity, writers should carefully evaluate whether "usual conversation" is the most effective descriptor for their intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

typical exchange

Emphasizes the exchange aspect of the conversation, focusing on the interchange of words.

routine dialogue

Highlights the repetitive and predictable nature of the conversation.

everyday chat

Focuses on the casual and common occurrence of the conversation.

common discourse

Suggests a more formal or public setting for the conversation.

ordinary discussion

Emphasizes the lack of anything special or unusual about the discussion.

regular communication

Focuses on the repeated act of communication, rather than the content.

standard banter

Highlights the lighthearted and playful nature of the conversation.

predictable interaction

Emphasizes the anticipated and unoriginal nature of the conversation.

garden-variety talk

Implies the conversation is unremarkable and commonplace.

run-of-the-mill discussion

Similar to garden-variety, emphasizing the lack of uniqueness.

FAQs

How can I use "usual conversation" in a sentence?

You can use "usual conversation" to describe commonplace discussions or interactions, for example: "The "usual conversation" at the water cooler revolved around weekend plans."

What are some alternatives to "usual conversation"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "typical exchange", "routine dialogue", or "everyday chat" instead of "usual conversation".

What does "usual conversation" mean?

"Usual conversation" refers to the typical or commonplace exchange of words and ideas between people in everyday situations.

Is "usual conversation" formal or informal?

"Usual conversation" is generally considered a neutral term, suitable for both informal and moderately formal contexts. However, its formality can also depend on the topic and participants involved.