Common Speaking Mistake: ‘discuss about’ Explained
If you have ever said or written “discuss about,” you have made one of the most common speaking mistakes in English. The direct answer is simple: do not use “about” after “discuss.” The verb “discuss” already includes the meaning of “talk about,” so adding “about” is grammatically incorrect. You should say “discuss something” or “discuss a topic,” never “discuss about something.” This guide will explain why this mistake happens, how to fix it, and give you plenty of practice so you can speak and write naturally.
Quick Answer: Why “discuss about” Is Wrong
The verb “discuss” is a transitive verb. This means it takes a direct object without a preposition. You do not need “about” because “discuss” already means “talk about.” Compare these correct and incorrect examples:
- Incorrect: We need to discuss about the budget.
- Correct: We need to discuss the budget.
- Incorrect: Let’s discuss about your idea.
- Correct: Let’s discuss your idea.
Think of “discuss” like the verb “mention.” You would not say “mention about something,” and the same rule applies to “discuss.”
Why Do So Many Learners Say “discuss about”?
This mistake is extremely common among English learners because of a simple reason: translation interference. In many languages, the equivalent verb for “discuss” is followed by a preposition. For example:
- Spanish: discutir sobre (discuss about)
- French: discuter de (discuss of)
- Portuguese: discutir sobre (discuss about)
- Italian: discutere di (discuss of)
When learners translate directly from their native language, they naturally add “about.” The good news is that this is an easy habit to break once you understand the rule.
Comparison Table: “discuss” vs. “talk about”
To help you see the difference clearly, here is a comparison of “discuss” and “talk about.” Notice that “talk about” is correct because “talk” is an intransitive verb that needs a preposition.
| Verb | Correct Structure | Example | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|
| discuss | discuss + object | We discussed the plan. | We discussed about the plan. (Wrong) |
| talk about | talk + about + object | We talked about the plan. | We talked the plan. (Wrong) |
| debate | debate + object | They debated the issue. | They debated about the issue. (Wrong) |
| speak about | speak + about + object | She spoke about her trip. | She spoke her trip. (Wrong) |
As you can see, “discuss” and “debate” work the same way. They do not need a preposition. “Talk about” and “speak about” do need the preposition “about.”
Natural Examples in Conversation and Email
Here are natural examples of how to use “discuss” correctly in different situations.
In Casual Conversation
- “Let’s discuss where to go for dinner.”
- “We discussed the movie for hours.”
- “Can we discuss this later? I am busy right now.”
- “They discussed their weekend plans.”
In Formal Conversation or Meetings
- “I would like to discuss the quarterly results.”
- “The committee will discuss the proposal tomorrow.”
- “We need to discuss the timeline for the project.”
- “She discussed the challenges with the team.”
In Email Writing
- “I am writing to discuss the contract terms.”
- “We can discuss this further during the meeting.”
- “Please let me know a convenient time to discuss the issue.”
- “I look forward to discussing the opportunity with you.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most frequent errors learners make with “discuss.” Read each one carefully and notice the correction.
- Mistake: We discussed about the problem.
Correction: We discussed the problem. - Mistake: I want to discuss about my salary.
Correction: I want to discuss my salary. - Mistake: They discussed about the news.
Correction: They discussed the news. - Mistake: Can we discuss about the schedule?
Correction: Can we discuss the schedule? - Mistake: She discussed about her feelings.
Correction: She discussed her feelings.
Another common mistake is using “discuss” with “about” in questions. For example:
- Mistake: What did you discuss about?
Correction: What did you discuss? - Mistake: Who did you discuss about?
Correction: Who did you discuss? (Or better: Who did you discuss this with?)
Notice that in the last example, you can use “with” after “discuss” when you mention the person. “Discuss with” is correct because “with” indicates the other person involved, not the topic.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you might want to use a different verb to express a similar idea. Here are some alternatives to “discuss” and when to use them.
“Talk about”
Use “talk about” in informal situations. It is more casual and friendly.
- “Let’s talk about your vacation.”
- “We talked about the party all night.”
“Speak about”
Use “speak about” when you want to sound a little more formal or when referring to a presentation.
- “The professor spoke about climate change.”
- “She will speak about her research at the conference.”
“Go over”
Use “go over” when you want to review something in detail.
- “Let’s go over the main points again.”
- “We need to go over the instructions.”
“Debate”
Use “debate” when there are opposing views and a formal argument.
- “The politicians debated the new law.”
- “We debated the pros and cons for an hour.”
“Confer about”
Use “confer about” in very formal or professional contexts, especially when consulting with others.
- “The lawyers will confer about the case.”
- “We need to confer about the strategy.”
Notice that “confer about” is correct because “confer” is intransitive and needs a preposition. This is different from “discuss.”
Formal vs. Informal Tone
Understanding tone helps you choose the right word. “Discuss” is neutral and works in both formal and informal settings. However, in very casual conversation, native speakers often prefer “talk about.”
- Informal: “Hey, let’s talk about the game last night.”
- Neutral: “Let’s discuss the game last night.”
- Formal: “I would like to discuss the findings of the report.”
Using “discuss” in a formal email is always appropriate. Using “talk about” in a formal report might sound too casual. Choose based on your audience.
Mini Practice: Test Yourself
Complete each sentence with the correct form. Choose between “discuss” and “discuss about.” Answers are below.
- We need to __________ the new policy before the meeting.
- Can you please stop __________ the same topic again?
- I would like to __________ my career options with you.
- They __________ the issue for three hours without reaching a decision.
Answers:
- discuss (We need to discuss the new policy.)
- discussing (Can you please stop discussing the same topic again?)
- discuss (I would like to discuss my career options with you.)
- discussed (They discussed the issue for three hours.)
If you wrote “discuss about” for any of these, review the examples again. The correct answer never includes “about” after “discuss.”
FAQ: Common Questions About “discuss about”
1. Is “discuss about” ever correct?
No. “Discuss about” is always grammatically incorrect. Some learners think it is acceptable in casual speech, but native speakers do not use it. If you hear someone say “discuss about,” they are making a mistake. Stick to “discuss” without “about.”
2. Can I say “discuss with” or “discuss about”?
You can say “discuss with” when you mention the person you are talking to. For example: “I discussed the plan with my manager.” This is correct. “Discuss about” is never correct. Remember: “with” is for people, “about” is not used with “discuss.”
3. What is the difference between “discuss” and “talk about”?
“Discuss” is more formal and implies a detailed examination of a topic. “Talk about” is more casual and general. For example, you might “talk about” your weekend with a friend, but you would “discuss” a business proposal in a meeting. Both are correct, but they are used in different contexts.
4. How can I remember not to say “discuss about”?
Think of the word “discuss” as already containing the meaning of “about.” Imagine that “discuss” = “talk about.” If you say “discuss about,” you are saying “talk about about,” which is clearly wrong. Another trick is to remember that “discuss” is like “mention” or “describe” – you do not add “about” after those verbs either.
Final Tips for Speaking and Writing
To master this rule, practice using “discuss” in sentences every day. Here are a few more examples to help you:
- “We should discuss the agenda before the meeting.”
- “Have you discussed this with your partner?”
- “I discussed the matter with my boss.”
- “They are discussing the proposal right now.”
If you catch yourself about to say “discuss about,” stop and remove “about.” It will feel strange at first, but with practice, it will become natural. For more help with common speaking mistakes, explore our Speaking Mistake Fixes category. You can also check our Grammar Accuracy Checks for other tricky grammar points. If you have questions about this guide, please visit our FAQ page or contact us. We are here to help you speak and write English with confidence.
