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Discuss vs Discuss About | Common English Grammar Mistakes | On Your Mark's English

An infographic showing "Discuss About" and "Contact With" crossed out in red, with the correct versions "Discuss" and "Contact" shown in green.
A guide to fixing the redundant prepositions in "discuss" and "contact."

In English, sometimes "less is more."

Many English learners add extra prepositions (like about or with) because they are translating directly from their own language.

However, using these extra words is a big giveaway that you aren't a native speaker.

Here are the two biggest offenders:


1. Discuss (NOT Discuss About) 🗣️

When you use the verb "discuss," you don't need "about." The verb already means "to talk about."

  • Correct: "We discussed the new rules for an hour."

  • Incorrect: "We discussed about the new rules."


2. Contact (NOT Contact With) 📱

Similarly, "contact" does not need "with." You contact a person or a company directly.

  • Correct: "I will contact the manager tomorrow."

  • Incorrect: "I will contact with the manager."


The Exception! 💡

English is tricky. If you use the noun form, you do need the preposition.

  • "We had a discussion about the project." (Noun = needs 'about').

  • "I had contact with him last week." (Noun = needs 'with')

But when using the verb, keep it clean and delete those prepositions!


Your Turn

Try to fix this sentence: "I need to contact with the hotel to discuss about my reservation." Write the correct version in the comments!


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If you enjoy these lessons and want to improve your English more quickly, you can book 1-to-1 lessons with me through my website.

👉 Visit www.onyourmarksenglish.com to book a lesson.

 
 
 

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