was under discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

"was under discussion" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a topic of conversation that has been brought up for discussion, usually among a group of people, and is being actively talked about. Example sentence: The decision to close the factory was under discussion at the company meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A date for the next runoff vote was under discussion.

The New York Times

McNamara's statement grew out of a misunderstanding of what was under discussion.

The New Yorker

Lego and Shell would not comment on whether a new post-2014 deal was under discussion.

The Guardian

Kath Mainland, chief executive of the fringe, said the problem of hiring technicians was under discussion.

The Guardian

Seremet said that such a decision was under discussion, but had not been made yet.

The Guardian

At the Pentagon, senior officials confirmed that the issue was under discussion.

The New York Times

I also used to always debate and argue whatever point was under discussion.

The New York Times

His usual mode of expression involved elaborate metaphors that snaked around whatever subject was under discussion.

The New York Times

The executive said that figure was under discussion but had not been agreed to.

The New York Times

All of this was under discussion a year ago, after Bangkok's last conflagration.

The Economist

I wonder if we'd feel differently if what was under discussion was a little-read literary novel?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was under discussion" when you want to indicate that a topic was actively being talked about or considered, but a decision had not yet been reached. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "was under discussion" when the topic is merely being thought about but not actively being talked about. In such cases, "under consideration" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was under discussion" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a particular topic or issue was the subject of conversation or deliberation at some point in the past. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it highlights the active process of discussing something without necessarily implying a resolution or conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was under discussion" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that a topic was being actively considered or talked about in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides numerous examples from reliable sources. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as academic contexts, highlighting its versatility. While alternatives like "was being considered" or "was up for debate" exist, "was under discussion" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to convey that a subject was the focus of past deliberations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was subject to discussion

A more formal way of saying that something was being talked about.

was being considered

Focuses on the act of thinking about something, implying a formal evaluation process.

was being negotiated

Highlights the bargaining aspect, suitable for situations involving multiple parties and compromise.

was being reviewed

Emphasizes the examination or assessment of something, often in a structured setting.

was on the table

Suggests that something has been formally proposed and is ready for discussion or action.

was under advisement

Suggests that a decision is pending after careful consideration.

was up for debate

Indicates that the topic is contentious and open to opposing viewpoints.

was in deliberation

Implies a careful and thoughtful consideration, often in a legal or official context.

was the subject of conversation

Focuses on the conversational aspect, suitable for less formal situations.

was an item on the agenda

Highlights that something was scheduled to be discussed, usually in a meeting.

FAQs

How can I use "was under discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "was under discussion" to indicate that a topic or proposal was being talked about or considered. For example, "The new marketing strategy was under discussion at the last meeting."

What are some alternatives to "was under discussion"?

Some alternatives include "was being considered", "was being negotiated", or "was up for debate", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "was under discussion" and "is under discussion"?

"Was under discussion" indicates that the discussion occurred in the past, whereas "is under discussion" implies that the discussion is ongoing in the present.

When should I use "was under discussion" versus "was being reviewed"?

Use "was under discussion" when the emphasis is on the conversation itself. Use "was being reviewed" when the emphasis is on a formal evaluation or assessment process.