Is It Correct to Say ‘Discuss About’?
No, it is not correct to say “discuss about.” The verb “discuss” is transitive, which means it takes a direct object without needing a preposition. The correct phrasing is simply “discuss something.” Saying “discuss about” is a common grammar error that makes your English sound unnatural. For example, you should say “We need to discuss the budget,” not “We need to discuss about the budget.”
Quick Answer
Use discuss + [object] without “about.” The word “discuss” already includes the idea of talking about something. If you want to use “about,” choose a different verb like “talk about” or “have a discussion about.”
Why ‘Discuss About’ Is Wrong
The verb “discuss” comes from Latin discutere, meaning to shake apart or examine. In modern English, it is a transitive verb that requires a direct object. Adding “about” creates a redundant phrase because “discuss” already implies the subject of conversation. Think of it like saying “enter into” instead of “enter” — the extra word is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.
Compare with Similar Verbs
Some verbs in English naturally pair with “about,” such as “talk about,” “think about,” or “read about.” However, “discuss” does not belong to this group. Here is a quick comparison:
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| We discussed the project. | We discussed about the project. |
| They discussed the issue. | They discussed about the issue. |
| Let’s discuss the plan. | Let’s discuss about the plan. |
| She discussed her concerns. | She discussed about her concerns. |
Formal and Informal Contexts
In both formal and informal English, “discuss about” is incorrect. In a formal email or academic paper, using “discuss about” will make you sound less professional. In casual conversation, it may confuse native speakers or mark you as a non-native learner. Stick with “discuss” alone for all situations.
Email Context
In professional emails, precision matters. Use “discuss” directly:
- Correct: “I would like to discuss the proposal in our meeting.”
- Incorrect: “I would like to discuss about the proposal in our meeting.”
Conversation Context
In everyday speech, the same rule applies. Native speakers never say “discuss about.” Instead, they might say “talk about” if they want to use “about”:
- Natural: “Let’s talk about the movie.”
- Natural: “Let’s discuss the movie.”
- Unnatural: “Let’s discuss about the movie.”
Natural Examples
Here are examples of “discuss” used correctly in real-life situations:
- The team will discuss the new strategy tomorrow.
- We need to discuss your performance review.
- Can we discuss the details after lunch?
- She discussed the results with her supervisor.
- They discussed the terms of the contract for two hours.
Common Mistakes
Learners often make these errors. Avoid them by remembering that “discuss” does not need a preposition:
- Incorrect: “We discussed about the problem.” → Correct: “We discussed the problem.”
- Incorrect: “He discussed about the news.” → Correct: “He discussed the news.”
- Incorrect: “They are discussing about the event.” → Correct: “They are discussing the event.”
- Incorrect: “I discussed about it with my friend.” → Correct: “I discussed it with my friend.”
Better Alternatives
If you feel the need to use “about,” choose a different verb. Here are some alternatives:
- Talk about: “We talked about the vacation plans.” (Informal, common in conversation)
- Have a discussion about: “We had a discussion about the budget.” (Slightly more formal)
- Speak about: “She spoke about her experiences.” (Neutral)
- Converse about: “They conversed about the weather.” (Formal, less common)
When to Use ‘Discuss’ vs. ‘Talk About’
Use “discuss” when you want to sound more formal or when the conversation involves analysis or decision-making. Use “talk about” for casual or general conversations. For example:
- Formal meeting: “We need to discuss the quarterly results.”
- Casual chat: “We talked about our weekend plans.”
Mini Practice Section
Test your understanding. Choose the correct option for each sentence.
- We need to ______ the new policy.
a) discuss about
b) discuss
c) discuss on - They ______ the movie for hours.
a) discussed about
b) discussed
c) discussed on - Can we ______ the schedule?
a) talk about
b) discuss about
c) discuss on - She ______ her travel plans with me.
a) discussed about
b) discussed
c) discussed on
Answers
- b) discuss
- b) discussed
- a) talk about (or “discuss” without “about”)
- b) discussed
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is ‘discuss about’ ever correct in any dialect of English?
No, “discuss about” is not considered correct in any standard dialect of English, including American, British, Australian, or Canadian English. It is always a grammatical error.
2. Can I use ‘discuss on’ instead of ‘discuss about’?
No, “discuss on” is also incorrect. You might hear “discuss on” in some non-native speech, but it is not standard. Use “discuss” alone or “discuss [topic].”
3. What is the difference between ‘discuss’ and ‘debate’?
“Discuss” means to talk about something in a general or detailed way. “Debate” implies a formal argument with opposing sides. Both are transitive and do not take “about.” For example: “We discussed the issue” vs. “We debated the issue.”
4. How can I remember not to say ‘discuss about’?
Think of “discuss” as a verb that already contains the meaning of “talk about.” If you add “about,” you are repeating the idea. A simple trick: if you want to use “about,” switch to “talk about.” If you want to use “discuss,” drop the “about.”
Final Tip
Mastering this small rule will make your English sound much more natural and professional. Whenever you write or speak, check yourself: are you about to say “discuss about”? Stop and remove the “about.” Your listeners and readers will notice the improvement. For more help with common grammar issues, explore our Grammar Accuracy Checks section. If you have questions, feel free to contact us or check our FAQ page. We also recommend reviewing our Editorial Policy to understand how we create these guides.
