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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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we're having a conversation

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

We're having a conversation about whether this would work.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"We're having a conversation, and I'm telling you what I feel and think".

News & Media

The Guardian

We're having a conversation here!" To which he receives only infuriating silence.

We're having a conversation over here, and if you yell at us about it, then you're the spoiler.

News & Media

The New York Times

"We're having a conversation about potentially razing the whole field and then having a dance party past curfew".

News & Media

The New York Times

Now we're having a conversation about how phony all the people are who do kiss on both cheeks.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

In each case, we are often not just trading media, we are having a conversation.

News & Media

The New York Times

"I remember we were having a conversation as we skied, but Donna was skiing backward as we talked," Caroline Weinbrecht said.

"We were having a conversation in a kitchen, and I don't know how he worded it: He said the devil is after him".

News & Media

The Guardian

The most stunning element was the vocal performance of the late Carl Wilson: so fresh and intimate that it seized my attention as though we were having a conversation.

"We were having a conversation about whether we were happy, and as he asked the question, I was surprised to find that I said, 'Not particularly,' " said Mr. Curtis, a still boyish 56.

News & Media

The New York Times
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase to emphasize the ongoing nature of an interaction or to set boundaries when interrupted. It serves as a polite reminder of active engagement.

Common error

Avoid using this phrase when the interaction is static or one-sided. Ensure the present continuous tense aligns with the actual real-time status of the dialogue to maintain clarity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we're having a conversation" functions as a present continuous clause where "we" is the subject and "are having" is the auxiliary-plus-participle verb structure. It indicates an ongoing, active state of verbal interaction. As seen in the examples from Ludwig, it is often used to characterize the nature of a meeting or to defend the social space of the participants.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we're having a conversation" is a versatile and common English expression used to denote active verbal participation. Analysis from Ludwig AI shows that it is exceptionally prevalent in high-quality journalism, particularly when framing political or social discussions. It successfully balances a friendly tone with professional clarity, making it an ideal choice for both personal and business communications. Whether used literally to describe a current talk or figuratively to signify that a broader social issue is being addressed, it remains a pillar of clear, contemporary English.

FAQs

How to use "we're having a conversation" in a sentence?

You can use it to define an ongoing interaction, for example: "I think it is important that we're having a conversation about these issues right now".

What can I say instead of "we're having a conversation"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "we are discussing", "we're chatting" or "we're speaking".

Which is correct, "we're having a conversation" or "we're having a talk"?

Both are correct, but "we're having a talk" often implies a more serious, one-off, or lecture-style interaction, whereas a conversation is typically more balanced and ongoing.

Is "we're having a conversation" appropriate for formal writing?

It is neutral and widely accepted in journalism and business. For highly academic contexts, you might prefer "we are engaged in a dialogue".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.9/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: