while discussing

USAGE SUMMARY

"while discussing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that two or more people were speaking about something. For example: The two teachers had a lively conversation while discussing lesson plans for the upcoming semester.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So we're going to spend a while discussing this.

Yale University

Papelbon invoked that deal while discussing Wagner.

The New York Times - Sports

These are serious readers who guzzle beer while discussing books.

The New Yorker

He requested anonymity while discussing other teams' business.

The New York Times - Sports

Herman Cain broke down while discussing a bout with cancer.

The New York Times

This can be broached while discussing other aspects of care.

Harvard University

Most laughed a lot while discussing their orgasms.

The Guardian

While discussing the Gender Games series recently, my daughter said, "Mom, real feminism is about choices".

The New York Times

The two take in the dawn while discussing their hopes and dreams for the future.

The New York Times

Be positive while discussing responsibility – rather than only focusing on contraception and safety.

Independent

But he circled back to the subject while discussing this off-season's seeming inertia.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while discussing" to clearly indicate that two actions (discussing and another action) are happening simultaneously. Ensure that the context provides sufficient clarity about who is discussing what.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by placing "while discussing" close to the subject performing the action. Ensure that the sentence clearly indicates who is doing the discussing. For example, instead of saying "While discussing the problem, the solution became clear", say "While they were discussing the problem, the solution became clear to the team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while discussing" functions as a conjunction phrase or adverbial phrase, connecting two clauses and indicating that the action of discussing is happening simultaneously with another action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a grammatically correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show it modifies verbs, adding temporal information to the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "while discussing" is a versatile and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate simultaneous actions during a conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, it serves to connect two clauses, providing a temporal relationship. It's frequent across various contexts, especially in news media, academia, and scientific writing. To avoid ambiguity, ensure the phrase is placed close to the subject, clearly indicating who is doing the discussing. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively use "while discussing" to add depth and clarity to their writing. Consider alternatives like "during the discussion of" or "when talking about" for nuanced variations in meaning. With its neutral register and widespread usage, mastering "while discussing" enhances overall communication skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during the discussion of

Formal alternative emphasizing the period when the discussion takes place.

as they discussed

Focuses on the action of discussing, framing it as background information.

in the course of discussing

Highlights the progression and flow of the conversation.

when talking about

More informal alternative, suitable for casual contexts.

in connection with the discussion of

Emphasizes the relevance or link to a particular discussion topic.

while in conversation about

Highlights the conversational aspect.

as they were conversing about

A more elaborate way of saying someone was talking about something.

during deliberations on

Focuses on careful and thorough considerations of a topic.

in the process of debating

Highlights the debate rather than simple discussion.

considering the topic of

Focuses on contemplation and assessment of a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "while discussing" in a sentence?

Use "while discussing" to show simultaneous actions related to a conversation. For example: "The team reviewed the report "while discussing the findings"."

What are some alternatives to "while discussing"?

Alternatives include "during the discussion of", "as they discussed", or "when talking about". Each alternative can subtly shift the emphasis of the sentence.

Is it always necessary to include a subject after "while discussing"?

While not always grammatically required, including a subject after "while discussing" often improves clarity, especially in complex sentences. Omission is fine when the subject is clear from the context.

What's the difference between "while discussing" and "during a discussion of"?

"While discussing" implies an action is occurring simultaneously with the discussion, whereas "during a discussion of" emphasizes that something happened within the time frame of the discussion.