Stop Saying “Discuss About”: Use Discuss Correctly

Many Bangladeshi learners say “discuss about” because it feels natural when translating from Bangla. But in standard English, discuss does not need about after it.

The correct sentence is:

• ❌ We discussed about the topic.
• ✅ We discussed the topic.

This is a small correction, but it can make your English sound much cleaner in academic writing, IELTS Speaking, and workplace communication.

Why “Discuss About” Is Wrong

The verb discuss already means “talk about something in detail.” Because the meaning of about is already inside the verb, adding about becomes unnecessary.

Think of it like this:

• discuss = talk about

So if you say discuss about, you are almost saying talk about about. That is why the sentence sounds incorrect.

Correct Patterns to Use

Use discuss + topic/object.

• We discussed the problem.
• The teacher discussed the essay structure.
• They discussed their travel plans.
• In class, we discussed common IELTS mistakes.

Notice that there is always a direct object after discuss: the problem, the structure, the plans, the mistakes.

When Can You Use “About”?

You can use about with verbs like talk, speak, or think.

• We talked about the topic.
• She spoke about her experience.
• I thought about the answer.

So the confusion often comes from mixing two patterns:

• talk about something
• discuss something

Both are correct, but they do not follow the same structure.

Practice These Corrections

Try correcting these sentences:

1. We discussed about the exam.
2. The group discussed about climate change.
3. My teacher discussed about my mistakes.

Correct versions:

1. We discussed the exam.
2. The group discussed climate change.
3. My teacher discussed my mistakes.

Check Your Grammar Habits

If you make mistakes like discuss about, request for, or emphasize on, you may need to review verb patterns. You can start with the Free English Level Assessment Tool to identify your grammar level before choosing a study plan.

Final Reminder

Do not memorize this as one isolated correction. Learn it as a pattern: some verbs take a preposition, and some do not. Discuss something is the correct pattern.

If you are preparing for IELTS Speaking and want to know whether these small grammar mistakes are affecting your answers, a Paid Speaking Mock Evaluation can give you structured feedback.