widespread discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "widespread discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe any kind of discussion that is widely discussed across a large population or area. For example, "The subject of climate change has sparked a widespread discussion amongst politicians and citizens alike."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the company also did not specifically deny widespread discussion that such a move was imminent.

The New York Times

With the Campus Chest controversy began the first widespread discussion of the war.

The New Yorker

Oscar season has become just another aspect of the business that has become open to widespread discussion and scrutiny.

The New Yorker

After the country voted to leave, there was widespread discussion over what should happen to those seats.

The Washington Post

Travis McKinney, a forklift driver for Georgia-Pacific in Portland, Ore., said the company's political packet had spurred widespread discussion.

The New York Times

With Mr. Romney's loss still an open sore, Mr. Christie's conduct remains a topic of widespread discussion in the party.

The New York Times

The continuing debate over "The Science of Yoga" has sparked widespread discussion of how to improve safety.

The New York Times

The nature of the state during this period has been the subject of widespread discussion among historians.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A widespread discussion for thermal energy storage tank in future application has been proposed in the paper.

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

The Elian Gonzalez saga also played into Congressional sensibilities this year after the boy's plight prompted a widespread discussion of America's policy toward Cuba.

The New York Times

By now, there was widespread discussion of the project's ever-rising cost – new estimate: $50 million – and the involvement of celebrated movie-industry figures from abroad.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widespread discussion", consider whether the context implies a consensus is forming or if the discussion remains contentious. This will help you choose more specific language if needed.

Common error

Avoid using "widespread discussion" if the discussion is limited to a specific group or region. Ensure that the scope of the discussion genuinely warrants the adjective "widespread."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widespread discussion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the activity of discussing something across a broad area or among many people. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is frequently used to describe the public reception or debate surrounding a topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widespread discussion" is a noun phrase used to describe a topic that is being extensively discussed among a large group of people or across a broad area. It's grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedias. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules and is useful for highlighting the breadth and reach of a conversation. Remember to use it accurately, ensuring the discussion is genuinely widespread and to adjust your language to describe any consensus forming or not.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extensive debate

Focuses on the debated nature of the topic rather than just a simple discussion.

broad dialogue

Emphasizes the conversational aspect and inclusiveness of the exchange.

public discourse

Highlights the discussion's presence within the public sphere.

popular debate

Indicates that the debate is something that many people are participating in.

general conversation

Suggests a more casual and commonplace exchange.

national conversation

Refers specifically to discussions occurring at the level of an entire nation.

collective deliberation

Emphasizes a thoughtful and collaborative discussion process.

open forum

Highlights a setting or platform for discussions.

common knowledge

Implies the discussion has led to a shared understanding.

prevailing opinion

Shifts focus to the dominant viewpoint emerging from the discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "widespread discussion" in a sentence?

You can use "widespread discussion" to indicate that a particular topic is being discussed by many people across various platforms. For example, "The new policy sparked "widespread discussion" in the community".

What's a good alternative to "widespread discussion"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "extensive debate", "public discourse", or "general conversation".

Is it correct to say "a widespread discussion" or simply "widespread discussion"?

The phrase "widespread discussion" typically functions as a non-count noun, so it's generally used without the article "a". However, using "a widespread discussion" isn't grammatically incorrect, but less common and might imply a single instance of a widespread discussion.

What's the difference between "widespread discussion" and "common knowledge"?

"Widespread discussion" refers to an ongoing exchange of ideas and opinions about a topic. "Common knowledge", on the other hand, refers to information that is generally known and accepted by most people; it suggests that the discussion has reached a conclusion.