Discuss vs. Discuss-about: What's the Difference?
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The verb 'discuss' is transitive, meaning it never takes the preposition 'about'—it goes straight to the object.
- Never say 'discuss about'; just say 'discuss' followed by the topic. Example: 'Let's discuss the plan.'
- The noun 'discussion' DOES use 'about'. Example: 'We had a discussion about the plan.'
- If you want to use 'about', use the verb 'talk'. Example: 'Let's talk about the plan.'
Overview
You often hear verbs like talk, chat, or argue used with the preposition about, as in talk about the weather or argue about politics. This pattern is very common in English. However, the verb discuss operates differently.
A frequent error for English learners at the B1 level and beyond is the incorrect inclusion of about after discuss.
The fundamental rule is direct: you always discuss something; you never discuss about something. The verb discuss intrinsically incorporates the meaning of talk about or consider. Therefore, adding about creates a grammatical redundancy, similar to saying talk about about.
Mastering this distinction immediately elevates the fluency and precision of your English.
How This Grammar Works
discuss does not take about hinges on the concept of verb transitivity. English verbs are categorized based on whether they require a direct object to complete their meaning. A direct object is the noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.- Transitive Verbs: These verbs transfer their action directly to an object. They are incomplete without an object answering the question "what?" or "whom?".
Discussis a prime example of a transitive verb. The topic of the conversation is the direct object ofdiscuss. We discussed the proposal.(The actiondiscussedis performed onthe proposal.)She discussed her future.(Here,her futureis the direct object.)They will discuss the matter tomorrow.(the matterreceives the action ofdiscuss.)
- Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object. Their meaning is complete on their own. If you wish to add further information, such as the topic, you typically use a prepositional phrase.
Talkis a common intransitive verb. We talked for hours.(Complete sentence; no object needed.)We talked about the movie.(Here,about the movieis a prepositional phrase, not a direct object.Aboutconnects the verbtalkedto its subject.)
talk are frequently paired with about to introduce the topic. Learners then incorrectly apply this pattern to discuss. However, discuss already contains the semantic function of about within its definition.about after discuss is superfluous and grammatically incorrect in standard English.consider about or mention about because the verbs consider and mention inherently convey the idea of directing thought or speech towards something. Discuss functions in the same way, already directing the "talking" or "examining" action towards its object.Formation Pattern
discuss is straightforward once you internalize its transitive nature. Always ensure the verb is directly followed by its object.
discuss:
Subject + discuss + Noun (Object) | We discussed the project deadline. |
Subject + discuss + Pronoun (Object) | Let's discuss it. |
Subject + discuss + Wh-clause | They discussed what happened at the meeting. |
Subject + discuss + Gerund (as Object) | We need to discuss implementing the new policy. |
The team discussed the quarterly results. (Correct: the quarterly results is the direct object.)
Can we discuss your concerns later? (Correct: your concerns is the direct object.)
She discussed how the new system would work. (Correct: how the new system would work acts as a direct object clause.)
Subject + discuss + about + Noun | They discussed about the budget. (Incorrect) |
Subject + discuss + about + Pronoun | We discussed about it. (Incorrect) |
We need to discuss about the upcoming changes. (Incorrect)
He discussed about his travel plans with his colleague. (Incorrect)
talk, chat, speak, or converse.
Subject + talk + about + Noun | We talked about the project deadline. |
Subject + chat + about + Pronoun | Let's chat about it. |
Subject + speak + about + Wh-clause | They spoke about what happened at the meeting. |
Subject + converse + about + Gerund | We conversed about implementing the new policy. |
I will talk about the implications at the meeting.
They often chat about current events.
When To Use It
Discuss is a versatile verb used across various contexts, from casual conversations to formal academic or professional settings. While it means talk about, discuss often implies a more structured, in-depth, or analytical exchange of ideas than talk about.Discuss is particularly prevalent and often preferred in professional and academic environments where clarity, precision, and a focus on specific topics are paramount. It signals a purposeful exchange aimed at understanding, decision-making, or problem-solving.- Meetings:
The board will discuss the merger agreement at next month's meeting.Here,discussimplies a thorough examination, not just a casual chat. - Project Management:
We need to discuss the scope creep before it impacts the timeline.This highlights a serious, necessary conversation. - Academic Papers/Presentations:
The essay discusses the sociological impact of social media.In academic writing,discusssignifies a detailed analysis or exploration of a subject. - Emails:
Could you please prepare the figures so we can discuss the budget forecast on Friday?The request is for a focused conversation about specific data.
discuss can sound slightly more formal, it's also commonly used in personal conversations, especially when the topic is important or requires a degree of seriousness or joint consideration.- Relationship Conversations:
We need to discuss our holiday plans, as time is running out.This indicates a joint decision-making process. - Family Matters:
My parents discussed their retirement options with a financial advisor.The topic is significant enough to warrant a formal consultation. - Social Planning:
Let's discuss where to go for dinner tonight.Even in a casual context,discussimplies a joint decision-making process rather than just suggesting options.
discuss and talk about can subtly affect the tone.Discuss: Often carries a connotation of seriousness, structured thought, or a mutual effort to understand and resolve. It can imply a debate, deliberation, or comprehensive review.Talk about: Is generally more neutral and can apply to any topic, from the most trivial to the most profound, without necessarily implying a formal or deep analysis.
We talked about the political situation. (Could be a casual observation.) vs. We discussed the political situation. (Implies a more engaged, potentially argumentative or analytical conversation.)Common Mistakes
discuss is crucial for B1 learners. These mistakes often stem from overgeneralizing patterns from other verbs or from misunderstanding the verb's inherent meaning.- 1The Redundant
about: This is the most prevalent error.
- Error:
Let's discuss about the new proposal. - Correction:
Let's discuss the new proposal. - Why it's wrong: As explained,
discussalready meanstalk about. Addingaboutcreates redundancy. Many learners fall into this trap because numerous other verbs (talk,think,worry,learn,write) naturally pair withaboutto specify a topic. Youtalk aboutsomething, so it feels intuitive todiscuss aboutsomething. However,discussis a transitive verb that directly takes its object.
- 1Confusing
discuss(verb) withdiscussion(noun): This is a significant source of confusion.
- The verb
discussnever takesabout. - The noun
discussionfrequently takesabout(oron,of).
We will discuss the findings. | Correct |We will discuss about the findings. | Incorrect |We will have a discussion about the findings. | Correct |A discussion on global warming was held. | Correct |The discussion of the budget took hours. | Correct |- Error:
Our team had discussed about the problem for an hour.(Here, the learner incorrectly treatsdiscussedas if it were a noun phrase or combines it withabout.) - Correction:
Our team discussed the problem for an hour.(Verb) - Correction:
Our team had a discussion about the problem for an hour.(Noun) - Why it's wrong: Learners often conflate the grammatical requirements of the verb form with those of its related noun. The noun
discussionis a thing, and you havea discussionabout a topic, making the preposition necessary and correct in that context. This distinction is critical.
- 1Other Transitive Verbs Misused with Prepositions:
Discussis not unique. Many other common transitive verbs also directly take an object without an intervening preposition. Recognizing this pattern helps reinforce the correct usage ofdiscuss.
mention | He mentioned about the meeting. | He mentioned the meeting. |address | They addressed to the issue. | They addressed the issue. |consider | I'm considering about moving. | I'm considering moving. |await | We are awaiting for your reply. | We are awaiting your reply. |enter | She entered into the room. | She entered the room. |comprise | The team comprises of five members. | The team comprises five members. |- Learning these related patterns reinforces the transitive nature of
discussand helps learners avoid similar errors with other verbs.
Real Conversations
Observe how native English speakers naturally use discuss in various everyday and professional scenarios. Notice the absence of about and the direct connection to the topic.
Scenario 1
Subject
"Hi Team,
Following our productive Q3 review meeting, I wanted to schedule a separate session to discuss the implementation challenges we identified. Specifically, we need to discuss the resource allocation for Project X and discuss how we can mitigate potential delays.
Please let me know your availability next week to discuss this further.
Best regards,
Liam"
- Observation: In professional communication, discuss is concise and formal, directly linking the verb to the precise issue.
Scenario 2
Sarah
Mark
Chen
Sarah
- Observation: Even in informal chat, discuss maintains its transitive structure, referring to specific academic points. Discuss it is a common, concise usage when the topic is clear from context.
Scenario 3
Anya
Ben
Anya
Ben
- Observation: In a casual conversation about planning, discuss is used for practical considerations and decision-making, implying a focused conversation about specific elements of the trip.
Quick FAQ
- Q: Can I ever say
discuss aboutin any context? - A: No. In standard, grammatically correct English,
discuss aboutis always incorrect. It's a fundamental rule that youdiscusssomething directly, without the prepositionabout.
- Q: Why do I hear native speakers occasionally use
discuss about? - A: While it's grammatically incorrect, some non-native speakers, and very occasionally even native speakers in informal contexts, might use it due to the strong influence of verbs like
talk about. However, it is widely considered an error and should be avoided in formal and informal speech and writing for accurate English.
- Q: What's the easiest way to remember the rule?
- A: Think of
discussas already meaningtalk about. Theaboutis an integral part of its definition, so you don't need to add another one. If you can substitutetalk aboutfordiscussin your mind and it makes sense, then you know not to addabout.
- Q: Is
discussalways more formal thantalk about? - A: Generally, yes.
Discussoften implies a more structured, analytical, or serious exchange of ideas.Talk aboutis more neutral and can be used in any setting, from very casual to moderately formal. Choosingdiscusscan lend a slightly more professional or academic tone to your communication.
- Q: Can I use other prepositions with
discuss, likediscuss with? - A: Yes, you can use
discuss withto indicate who you are discussing something with. For example,I will discuss the problem with my manager.Here,with my managerspecifies the person involved in the discussion, whilethe problemremains the direct object ofdiscuss. This is perfectly correct. The incorrect preposition is specificallyaboutwhen attempting to introduce the topic.
- Q: What are some good synonyms or alternatives for
discussthat might useabout? - A: If you want to use a preposition like
about, consider verbs such astalk about,chat about,speak about,converse about,deliberate about, orreason about. If you want to avoidaboutand use a direct object, alternatives todiscussincludeconsider,examine,review,analyze, orevaluate.
Conjugation of 'Discuss'
| Tense | Subject | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
I / You / We / They
|
discuss
|
They discuss the news.
|
|
Present Simple
|
He / She / It
|
discusses
|
She discusses the news.
|
|
Past Simple
|
All subjects
|
discussed
|
We discussed the news.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
All subjects
|
am/is/are discussing
|
We are discussing the news.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
All subjects
|
have/has discussed
|
I have discussed the news.
|
|
Future Simple
|
All subjects
|
will discuss
|
We will discuss the news.
|
Meanings
To talk about a specific subject with someone, especially in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas.
Decision Making
Talking about something to reach a conclusion or solve a problem.
“The board met to discuss the potential merger.”
“Can we discuss where to go for dinner?”
Academic Analysis
To examine or write about a topic in detail within an academic context.
“This essay will discuss the causes of the Industrial Revolution.”
“The professor discussed the theory of relativity in class.”
Casual Conversation
Simply talking about a topic with friends or family.
“We discussed our holiday plans over coffee.”
“I don't want to discuss my private life at work.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + discuss + object
|
We discussed the plan.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + do not + discuss + object
|
I don't discuss politics.
|
|
Question
|
Do + subject + discuss + object?
|
Did you discuss the price?
|
|
Noun Form
|
Discussion + about + object
|
We had a discussion about it.
|
|
Alternative Verb
|
Talk + about + object
|
We talked about the plan.
|
|
Passive Voice
|
Object + was discussed
|
The plan was discussed.
|
Formality Spectrum
The committee will discuss the strategic plan. (planning)
Let's discuss the plan for tomorrow. (planning)
We should discuss what we're doing. (planning)
We gotta talk through the plan. (planning)
The 'Discuss' Connection
Direct Objects
- The Plan The Plan
- The Problem The Problem
- The Future The Future
Forbidden
- about about
Discuss vs. Talk About
Should I use 'about'?
Are you using the verb 'discuss'?
Are you using the noun 'discussion'?
Are you using the verb 'talk'?
Common Objects for 'Discuss'
Business
- • Budget
- • Strategy
- • Contract
Academic
- • Theory
- • Results
- • Causes
Personal
- • Future
- • Problems
- • Plans
Examples by Level
We discuss the game.
I discuss my family.
They discuss the food.
Do you discuss the movie?
Let's discuss the new plan tomorrow.
We need to discuss the price of the car.
She discussed her problems with her teacher.
They didn't discuss the rules of the game.
The committee will discuss the proposal next week.
We spent the afternoon discussing our future together.
It is important to discuss these issues openly.
Have you discussed the changes with your boss yet?
The article discusses the implications of the new law.
We are here to discuss the feasibility of the project.
The panel discussed the ethical concerns of AI.
She refused to discuss the details of the settlement.
The thesis discusses the intersection of art and politics.
We must discuss the ramifications of this decision.
The documentary discusses the plight of refugees.
They sat down to discuss the nuances of the agreement.
The philosopher discusses the ontological status of being.
The report discusses the systemic failures of the agency.
We need to discuss the inherent contradictions in your argument.
The author discusses the ephemeral nature of fame.
Easily Confused
Learners see 'discussion about' and assume the verb 'discuss' also needs 'about'.
Because 'talk about' is so common, learners apply the same pattern to 'discuss'.
Like 'discuss', 'mention' is often wrongly followed by 'about'.
Common Mistakes
I discuss about my cat.
I discuss my cat.
We discuss about the weather.
We discuss the weather.
He discuss the book.
He discusses the book.
They discuss about the game.
They discuss the game.
Let's discuss about the party.
Let's discuss the party.
We had a discuss.
We had a discussion.
I want to discuss about my grade.
I want to discuss my grade.
The teacher discussed about the exam.
The teacher discussed the exam.
We need to discuss about how to fix it.
We need to discuss how to fix it.
They were discussing about the new law.
They were discussing the new law.
The paper discusses about the methodology.
The paper discusses the methodology.
We discussed about whether to proceed.
We discussed whether to proceed.
The implications were discussed about.
The implications were discussed.
Sentence Patterns
We need to discuss ___.
I would like to discuss ___ with you.
This article discusses how ___.
Did you discuss ___?
Real World Usage
I'd like to discuss my salary expectations.
Can't discuss now, call u later.
This section discusses the research findings.
I need to discuss my symptoms with the doctor.
We need to discuss which pizza to get.
Let's discuss the itinerary for Paris.
The 'Talk About' Swap
The Noun Exception
Professionalism
Discuss vs. Argue
Smart Tips
Stop and replace 'discuss' with 'talk'. If you use 'talk', you MUST use 'about'. If you use 'discuss', you MUST NOT.
Use 'discuss' instead of 'talk about' to sound more professional, but double-check that you haven't added 'about'.
Always pair it with 'about' or 'on' to sound natural.
The topic becomes the subject, and no preposition is needed at the end.
Pronunciation
Stress
The stress is on the second syllable: dis-CUSS.
Ending sound
The 'ed' in 'discussed' sounds like a 't'.
Falling intonation
Let's discuss the ↘️plan.
A standard statement or suggestion.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Discuss is a 'Direct' verb. Direct = No 'about' in the middle.
Visual Association
Imagine the word 'Discuss' has a giant mouth that eats the word 'about' before it can get into the sentence.
Rhyme
When you use discuss, 'about' is a fuss. Throw it away, and have a nice day!
Story
A manager named Dan Discuss always gets straight to the point. He never says 'about' because he is too busy discussing the facts directly.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your last meeting or class using 'discuss' correctly. Then, rewrite them using 'talk about'.
Cultural Notes
In Western business culture, 'discussing' something implies a structured conversation with a goal. It is more professional than 'talking about'.
In UK and US universities, 'discuss' is a common essay prompt. It requires looking at both sides of an argument.
In many English-speaking cultures, saying 'I don't want to discuss this' is a firm but polite way to set a boundary on a topic.
From the Latin 'discutere', which means 'to dash to pieces' or 'to shake apart'.
Conversation Starters
What is one thing you want to discuss with your boss?
If you could discuss any topic with a famous person, what would it be?
Did you discuss the news with your family today?
What should we discuss in our next English lesson?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
We had a long discussion ___ our future.
Find and fix the mistake:
She wants to discuss about her promotion.
We talked about the results.
The verb 'discuss' should never be followed by 'about'.
Pick the verb that MUST use 'about' to connect to an object.
A: Did you talk about the budget? B: Yes, we ___ it this morning.
The professor ___ the theory in great detail.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesWhich sentence is grammatically correct?
We had a long discussion ___ our future.
Find and fix the mistake:
She wants to discuss about her promotion.
We talked about the results.
The verb 'discuss' should never be followed by 'about'.
Pick the verb that MUST use 'about' to connect to an object.
A: Did you talk about the budget? B: Yes, we ___ it this morning.
The professor ___ the theory in great detail.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
13 exercisesI'd like to ___ a few points before we conclude the meeting.
Let's ___ the movie we watched last night.
She wants to discussion her career options with a counselor.
Choose the correct sentence:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Translate into English: 'The professors discussed the exam results.'
Match the items:
I need to talk the issue with my boss.
We had a long ___ about politics.
Choose the correct question:
Arrange these words into a sentence:
It's a complex topic. We should ___ it in detail later.
Match the error with its correction:
Score: /13
FAQ (8)
Because 'discuss' is a transitive verb. It already means 'to talk about', so adding 'about' is like saying 'talk about about'.
Yes! 'Discussion' is a noun. You can say 'We had a discussion about the weather.'
No, native speakers almost never say 'discuss about'. It is a very clear sign of a non-native speaker.
You can use 'talk about', 'examine', 'review', or 'debate'.
Yes! You can say 'I discussed the plan WITH my boss.' The 'with' refers to the person, not the topic.
It is slightly more formal than 'talk about', but it is used in both casual and professional settings.
No, the '-ing' form still follows the same rule. Say 'We are discussing the plan.'
That is also wrong! Like 'discuss', 'mention' is transitive. Say 'He mentioned the plan.'
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
discutir sobre / hablar de
Spanish requires a preposition; English forbids it.
discuter de
French speakers must drop the 'de' when switching to English 'discuss'.
diskutieren über
The German 'über' must not be translated as 'about' after 'discuss'.
〜について話し合う (ni tsuite hanashiau)
Japanese structure is 'Topic + About + Discuss', while English is 'Discuss + Topic'.
ناقش (naqasha)
Arabic and English actually share the same transitive structure here.
讨论 (tǎolùn)
The error usually occurs when Chinese learners try to use '关于' (about) for emphasis.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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