while discussions are underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "while discussions are underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that conversations or negotiations are currently taking place. Example: "We will not make any decisions until we have all the necessary information while discussions are underway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The council voted 3 to 2 Tuesday to allow the extended hours requested by the restaurant owner and vehemently opposed by some of the neighbors to continue until December while discussions are underway.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

While writing this paper, discussions are underway to formalize the consortium agreement for IRIC and technical aspects of the portal design, standards for meta-data for interoperability, and persistent, diagnostic germplasm identifiers.

GigaScience

Discussions are underway to start advertising soon in New Hampshire.

The New York Times

Discussions are underway with several potential national sponsors and a television partner.

The New York Times

This summer, another epicenter will open in Los Angeles, and discussions are underway for a fourth, in Beijing or Shanghai.

The New Yorker

Discussions are underway to further refine the charge and membership for the committee.

Cornell University

He says some discussions are underway now.

TechCrunch

(None have yet – but discussions are underway, Sheeley says).

TechCrunch

Discussions are underway with the board and with local councils, he said.

BBC

Discussions are underway about holding a meeting in the Washington, D.C., area and potentially in Atlanta.

Science Magazine

The Pro12 deny extending a formal invitation, but say discussions are underway between stakeholders.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "while discussions are underway" to indicate that a final decision or outcome is pending, and provide context about the topic being discussed.

Common error

Avoid using "while discussions are underway" too frequently in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more precise language that specifies the stage and nature of the discussions, such as "during the initial consultation phase" or "as the committee deliberates".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "while discussions are underway" functions as an adverbial clause, indicating the temporal context or condition during which another action is taking place. Ludwig confirms its usability, clarifying that conversations or negotiations are in process.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "while discussions are underway" is a grammatically correct adverbial clause used to indicate that conversations or negotiations are ongoing, as validated by Ludwig. It is most frequently encountered in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, serving the purpose of conveying that a situation is pending resolution. While the phrase is usable, be mindful of overusing it, especially in academic writing, and consider more precise language when appropriate. Ludwig's AI also confirms the overall correctness and usability of the phrase in various written English contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as talks proceed

Replaces "discussions" with "talks" and uses the verb "proceed" instead of "are underway".

during ongoing deliberations

Substitutes "discussions" with the more formal "deliberations" and uses "ongoing" to emphasize the continuous nature.

while negotiations continue

Employs "negotiations" in place of "discussions" and "continue" to convey the ongoing process.

as conversations develop

Replaces "discussions" with "conversations" and uses "develop" to imply a gradual unfolding.

while consultations are in progress

Uses "consultations" instead of "discussions" and "are in progress" as a substitute for "are underway".

during active negotiations

Similar to "while negotiations continue" but uses "active" to highlight the intensity of the negotiations.

as dialogue unfolds

Replaces "discussions" with the more evocative "dialogue" and uses "unfolds" to suggest a gradual revelation.

while matters are being discussed

A more passive and general way of saying that discussions are happening.

as the matter is debated

Uses 'debated' implying a more formal and potentially contentious discussion.

during the course of talks

Emphasizes the duration of the talks rather than the activity itself.

FAQs

How can I use "while discussions are underway" in a sentence?

You can use "while discussions are underway" to indicate that a process or decision is pending the outcome of ongoing conversations. For example, "The project will remain on hold "while discussions are underway" with stakeholders".

What are some alternatives to "while discussions are underway"?

Alternatives include "as talks proceed", "during ongoing deliberations", or "while negotiations continue" depending on the context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "whilst discussions are underway"?

Yes, "whilst" is a synonym for "while", so "whilst discussions are underway" is grammatically correct. However, "while" is generally more common in modern English.

What's the difference between "discussions are underway" and "discussions have been underway"?

"Discussions are underway" suggests that the discussions are currently happening. "Discussions have been underway" implies that the discussions started in the past and may or may not still be happening, but have some history.