facilitate discussion
Enable conversation
Use this phrase when you want to professionally describe helping a group share ideas and talk openly.
Em 15 segundos
- Helping a group of people talk to each other effectively.
- Making conversation easier by removing barriers or providing structure.
- A professional way to say you are leading a group talk.
Significado
To make it easier for people to talk and share ideas. It is like being a bridge that helps a conversation flow smoothly without getting stuck.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Leading a team meeting
My role today is to facilitate discussion regarding the new budget.
My role today is to enable conversation regarding the new budget.
A teacher in a classroom
The seating was arranged in a circle to facilitate discussion.
The seating was arranged in a circle to make talking easier.
Texting a group project chat
I'll start a thread to facilitate discussion on the final slides.
I'll start a thread to help us talk about the final slides.
Contexto cultural
This phrase rose to prominence alongside the 'facilitative leadership' style in the late 20th century. It reflects a Western cultural shift away from top-down authority toward collaborative teamwork. In modern offices, being a 'facilitator' is often seen as a more valuable skill than being a traditional 'boss'.
The 'Neutral' Secret
To truly facilitate discussion, you should stay neutral. If you give your opinion too early, you stop others from sharing. Use phrases like 'What do others think?' to keep it going.
Don't Overuse in Casual Settings
If you use this at a party, you will sound like a robot. Stick to 'get people talking' or 'break the ice' when you are with friends.
Em 15 segundos
- Helping a group of people talk to each other effectively.
- Making conversation easier by removing barriers or providing structure.
- A professional way to say you are leading a group talk.
What It Means
Facilitate discussion is about creating a space where people feel comfortable talking. You aren't just talking yourself. You are helping others speak. Think of it like being a party host. You introduce people and keep the energy high. You remove the awkward silence. It makes the act of sharing ideas feel effortless.
How To Use It
You use this when you are the leader or the helper. Use it with verbs like aim to or strive to. For example, "I want to facilitate discussion on this topic." You can also use it to describe tools. A good app might facilitate discussion between remote teams. It sounds smart and professional. It shows you care about what others think.
When To Use It
Use this in any organized setting. It is perfect for business meetings or workshops. Use it in a classroom when the teacher wants students to participate. It works well in online forums too. If you are a moderator, this is your main job. Use it when you want to sound like a leader. It shows you are organized and inclusive.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this at a casual Friday night dinner. If you tell your best friend, "I will facilitate discussion about our pizza toppings," they will laugh. It is too formal for a first date. Avoid it in high-stress emotional arguments. It sounds too clinical and cold there. Don't use it if you are the only one talking. That is a lecture, not a discussion!
Cultural Background
In Western business culture, "flat hierarchies" are very popular now. Leaders don't want to dictate; they want to facilitate. This phrase became a buzzword in the 1990s and 2000s. It reflects a shift toward collaboration. It suggests that the best ideas come from the group, not just the boss. It is a very "democratic" way of speaking.
Common Variations
You might hear facilitate a dialogue or encourage discussion. Some people say moderate the conversation. If you want to be less formal, say get people talking. In tech, people say enable communication. However, facilitate discussion remains the gold standard for professional settings. It sounds polished and intentional.
Notas de uso
This is a high-level B2/C1 collocation. It is most effective in resumes, cover letters, and formal workplace settings. Using it correctly marks you as a sophisticated communicator.
The 'Neutral' Secret
To truly facilitate discussion, you should stay neutral. If you give your opinion too early, you stop others from sharing. Use phrases like 'What do others think?' to keep it going.
Don't Overuse in Casual Settings
If you use this at a party, you will sound like a robot. Stick to 'get people talking' or 'break the ice' when you are with friends.
The Silent Facilitator
In some cultures, silence is a tool to facilitate discussion. In the US/UK, facilitators often jump in quickly, but in Japan, a long pause can be the best way to invite others to speak.
Exemplos
6My role today is to facilitate discussion regarding the new budget.
My role today is to enable conversation regarding the new budget.
Shows the speaker is a neutral leader helping the team.
The seating was arranged in a circle to facilitate discussion.
The seating was arranged in a circle to make talking easier.
Refers to how physical space helps people talk.
I'll start a thread to facilitate discussion on the final slides.
I'll start a thread to help us talk about the final slides.
Slightly formal for a text, but shows leadership.
Nothing facilitates discussion like a broken elevator and four strangers.
Nothing makes people talk like being stuck in an elevator.
Uses a formal phrase for a funny, awkward situation.
We need a neutral moderator to facilitate discussion between the neighbors.
We need a neutral person to help the neighbors talk.
Used when there is conflict that needs careful handling.
The counselor worked hard to facilitate discussion about our shared grief.
The counselor worked hard to help us talk about our grief.
Used in a sensitive, high-stakes emotional environment.
Teste-se
Choose the best word to complete the professional goal.
The workshop leader used icebreakers to ___ discussion among the shy participants.
Facilitate is the correct choice because it means making the conversation easier and more natural.
Identify the correct context for this phrase.
In a job interview, you might say: 'I am skilled at ___ discussion in diverse teams.'
We use the -ing form (gerund) after the preposition 'at' to describe a skill.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality Scale of 'Facilitate Discussion'
Chatting with friends
Get everyone talking
Small office meeting
Start a conversation
Boardroom or Academic
Facilitate discussion
Where to Facilitate Discussion
Corporate Workshop
Brainstorming new products
Online Forum
Moderating a Reddit thread
University Seminar
Analyzing a complex text
Support Group
Sharing personal stories
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNot exactly. Leading a meeting can mean just giving orders, but facilitate discussion specifically means you are helping others talk and collaborate.
It is usually used for groups of three or more. For two people, it sounds a bit too formal; you would just say have a talk.
In professional and academic English, yes. In daily street English, people usually prefer help or make easier.
A facilitator is a person whose job is to facilitate discussion. They don't take sides; they just help the group reach a goal.
Yes! You can say, 'Slack facilitates discussion across different time zones.' It means the tool makes communicating easier.
Both are correct. Use facilitate discussion for the general concept and facilitate a discussion when talking about one specific event.
No, it is positive. It implies that without your help, the talk might be difficult or disorganized, but not necessarily bad.
Yes, it is used globally in all professional English contexts, including the UK, Canada, and Australia.
It is pronounced fa-SIL-i-tate. The stress is on the second syllable.
Don't say facilitate to discuss. Always use a noun after it, like facilitate discussion or facilitate the process.
Frases relacionadas
Moderate a debate
To control a formal argument between two sides.
Break the ice
To do something to help people feel relaxed in a new group.
Encourage dialogue
To try to get two different groups to talk to each other.
Foster communication
To help a culture of talking and sharing grow over a long time.
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