we held discussions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we held discussions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a formal or informal exchange of ideas or opinions on a particular topic or issue. Example: "After several weeks of planning, we held discussions to finalize the project details and ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Throughout the process, we held discussions with key informants and drew upon examples of empirical literature to define the domains and standards for published QI evaluations.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Instead, the psychiatric diagnosis was made by the specialist psychiatrists of our suicide prevention group and we held discussions of the cases about the psychiatric diagnosis.

BMC Psychiatry

During this meeting, we held discussions on the importance of women accessing and using skilled care services during pregnancy, delivery, and thereafter, the barriers to services use, and how they [the community members] could act as partners with us, the health care providers, to improve both access to care and birth outcomes.

Global health, science and practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That is when we're most creative," she said, "when they start choreographing and we hold discussions with the lighting, costume and set designers".

The New York Times - Arts

"While it is true that we hold discussions with the US government on regional and internationals issues, the contents of the alleged cables are grossly inaccurate and illogical.

The Guardian

A club statement read: "We have held discussions with Alan, who has offered his sincere apologies to the club, and it is clear he deeply regrets his actions.

The Guardian - Sport

We also held discussions with individual colleagues before attempting to write a report for publication.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We have held discussions with other health professionals in the UK in order to plan larger studies.

BMJ Open

We have held discussions with a group from China, Japan, Taiwan and South Africa and are in contact with a group in Spain that is interested in our technology.

Bplans

"We have also held discussions with the Welsh government to consider ways of maintaining production at the plant, but a satisfactory long term solution could not be found.

BBC

"On Tuesday we met with and held discussions with representatives from the local media, along with recognised supporter group and message board delegates.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When documenting collaborative efforts, clearly state the purpose of why “we held discussions” and results or outcomes of these interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "we held discussions" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "we talked" or "we chatted" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we held discussions" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of engaging in a conversation or series of conversations to exchange ideas, opinions, or information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable. Examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we held discussions" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to describe the act of engaging in formal or informal conversations for exchanging ideas or making decisions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. Predominantly found in science, news media, and formal business contexts, it conveys a neutral to professional tone. When aiming for more informal language, consider alternatives such as "we talked" or "we chatted". Despite its prevalence, avoid overuse in casual settings to maintain a natural and engaging style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we engaged in talks

Replaces "discussions" with "talks" and "held" with "engaged in", suggesting a slightly more active involvement.

we conducted deliberations

Substitutes "discussions" with "deliberations", implying a more formal and thorough process.

we had conversations

Uses a more general term "conversations" instead of "discussions", making it less formal.

we convened meetings

Replaces "held discussions" with "convened meetings", suggesting a formal gathering for discussion.

we had a dialogue

Replaces "discussions" with "a dialogue", suggesting a reciprocal exchange of ideas.

we negotiated terms

Implies the discussions were aimed at reaching an agreement or settlement.

we conferred with

Implies a formal and collaborative discussion with experts or colleagues.

we exchanged views

Focuses on the exchange of opinions rather than a structured discussion.

we consulted with

Highlights the act of seeking advice or information during the discussions.

we talked things over

An informal way to express having had a discussion, suitable for casual contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "we held discussions" in a sentence?

You can use "we held discussions" to indicate that a formal conversation or series of conversations took place. For example, "We held discussions with the team to gather feedback on the new project proposal".

What can I say instead of "we held discussions"?

You can use alternatives like "we engaged in talks", "we conducted deliberations", or "we had conversations" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "we held discussions"?

It's appropriate to use "we held discussions" when describing formal meetings, negotiations, or structured conversations where ideas were exchanged and decisions were potentially made. It's less suited for casual contexts.

What's the difference between "we held discussions" and "we had a conversation"?

"We held discussions" suggests a more structured and possibly formal exchange, often involving multiple people and specific objectives. "We had a conversation" is more general and implies a less structured, potentially informal exchange.