discussions around (about)

People often add about or around after discuss because it feels natural: both the verb and the preposition point to a topic. In standard English, discuss is transitive - it already means "talk about" - so adding about is redundant and adding around sounds vague or unidiomatic.

Below are clear rules, examples you can copy, quick rewrites for work, school, and casual contexts, and simple memory tricks to stop the error fast.

Quick answer

Do not add a preposition directly after discuss. Use discuss + noun (discuss the plan) or use talk about + noun for a less formal tone. For clauses, use discuss whether/if or a question word (discuss whether we should proceed, discuss how we'll do it).

• Correct: discuss the agenda;
  Incorrect: discuss about the agenda.
• If you want a softer or more conversational tone, use talk about: talk about the agenda.
• For clauses, say discuss whether/if/how/what, not discuss about whether/if/how.

Why "discuss about" and "discuss around" feel tempting

Speakers sometimes repeat the preposition because both the verb and the preposition point to the topic. That repetition sounds natural when speaking quickly, but it creates redundancy or awkward phrasing in writing.

• "Discuss" already contains the idea of "about," so adding about is unnecessary.
• "Around" suggests approximation or indirectness and clashes with the direct-object structure of discuss, so it sounds odd.

Grammar essentials

Think of discuss as a verb that needs a direct object, not a verb that needs a preposition. Here are the common patterns to prefer:

• discuss + noun: discuss the timeline, discuss the budget
• discuss + clause: discuss whether we should hire, discuss how we will proceed
• talk about + noun (informal): talk about the timeline, talk about the budget

How the mistake shows up in real writing

Seeing correct forms in context helps you spot the error. Below are practical examples from three settings: work, school, and casual speech. Each set includes natural corrections you can use immediately.

• Work
  • Wrong: Let's discuss about the Q3 targets. -
    Right: Let's discuss the Q3 targets.
  • Wrong: We should discuss around the budget numbers. -
    Right: We should discuss the budget numbers, or We should talk about the budget numbers.
  • Wrong: Can we discuss about next steps? -
    Right: Can we discuss next steps?
• School
  • Wrong: The essay discusses about identity and place. -
    Right: The essay discusses identity and place.
  • Wrong: We need to discuss around the thesis before submitting. -
    Right: We need to discuss the thesis before submitting, or Let's talk about the thesis.
  • Wrong: Did you discuss about the lab results? -
    Right: Did you discuss the lab results?
• Casual
  • Wrong: We discussed about plans for Saturday. -
    Right: We discussed plans for Saturday, or We talked about plans for Saturday.
  • Wrong: They discussed around what to watch. -
    Right: They discussed what to watch, or They talked about what to watch.
  • Wrong: Let's not discuss about it now. -
    Right: Let's not discuss it now.

Wrong vs right examples you can copy

These short pairs make the correction obvious. Keep them handy when editing emails or drafts.

• Wrong: Discuss about the schedule tomorrow. -
  Right: Discuss the schedule tomorrow.
• Wrong: We discussed around possible solutions. -
  Right: We discussed possible solutions.
• Wrong: Can we discuss about whether to hire? -
  Right: Can we discuss whether to hire?
• Wrong: She keeps discussing about her idea. -
  Right: She keeps discussing her idea.
• Wrong: Let's discuss around the outline first. -
  Right: Let's discuss the outline first, or Let's have a general discussion about the outline.
• Wrong: They discussed about the policy changes. -
  Right: They discussed the policy changes.

How to fix sentences quickly

Fixing the phrase usually requires one of three moves: remove the preposition, swap to talk about, or restate the clause. Read the whole sentence to make sure the tone still fits.

• Remove the preposition: "discuss about the plan" → "discuss the plan."
• Change the verb for a preposition: "discuss about the plan" → "talk about the plan" (more conversational).
• Use a clause form: "discuss about if we should" → "discuss whether we should."

• Rewrite 1 Original: Is this something we should discuss about next week? -
  Rewrite: Is this something we should discuss next week?
• Rewrite 2 Original: We discussed around three options at the meeting. -
  Rewrite: We discussed three options at the meeting.
• Rewrite 3 Original: Can we discuss about how to present this? -
  Rewrite: Can we discuss how to present this?

Memory trick

Picture discuss as a single action that already includes "about." If you feel a preposition coming next, pause and choose either a direct object (discuss + noun) or switch verbs (talk about).

• Quick check: If you're about to write discuss about X, delete about and read the sentence aloud.
• If the sentence still sounds right, you're done. If it sounds abrupt, try talk about X or restructure the clause.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Fixing one preposition issue often reveals others. Scan nearby sentences for these related problems:

• redundant prepositions after other transitive verbs (e.g., enter into vs enter)
• unnecessary around/approximately that make sentences vague
• confusing verb + preposition pairs (e.g., decide on vs decide)

FAQ

Is "discuss about" grammatically correct?

No. Discuss is transitive and takes a direct object: say "discuss the topic" rather than "discuss about the topic." Use "talk about" if you want the preposition.

Can native speakers use "discuss about" informally?

Some speakers do in casual speech, but it remains nonstandard and redundant. In writing, prefer "discuss" + noun or "talk about."

When I have a clause, should I use "about" with discuss?

No. Use discuss whether/if or a question word: "discuss whether the plan will work" or "discuss how we will proceed."

What if I want an approximate meaning like "discuss around" suggests?

Choose verbs or phrases that naturally convey approximation: "go over," "go through," "have a general discussion about," or "talk about broader themes."

How do I fix many instances in a document quickly?

Search for "discuss about" and "discuss around." Replace with "discuss" + noun or swap to "talk about" / "go over" where tone calls for it. Read each sentence aloud after changing it.

Want a quick check?

When unsure, paste one sentence and try both: "discuss + topic" and "talk about + topic." Choose the tone you need. Use find/replace for bulk fixes and read aloud after edits.