Discoursive vs. Discursive — Which is Correct Spelling?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Sumaia Saeed — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Discoursive" is the incorrect spelling. "Discursive" is correct, referring to digressive, rambling, or moving from topic to topic.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Discoursive or Discursive
How to spell Discursive?
Discoursive
Incorrect Spelling
Discursive
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Recall that "discursive" has a common English suffix "-ive," which indicates an adjective, directly relating to its meaning of moving from subject to subject.
"Discursive" relates to "discourse," reflecting movement or elaboration in conversation or argument, without the extra 'o' as in "discoursive."
Note the similarity in structure to other words ending in "-ive" that describe a characteristic, like "descriptive" or "persuasive."
Remember that "discursive" does not include the letter 'o' after 'c,' unlike "discourse," but retains the connection in meaning.
How Do You Spell Discursive Correctly?
Incorrect: He gave a discoursive talk that seemed to cover every imaginable topic.
Correct: He gave a discursive talk that seemed to cover every imaginable topic.
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Incorrect: Her writing is often discoursive, jumping from one idea to another.
Correct: Her writing is often discursive, jumping from one idea to another.
Incorrect: The essay was too discoursive and lacked clear structure.
Correct: The essay was too discursive and lacked clear structure.
Incorrect: The discussion became discoursive, straying far from the original topic.
Correct: The discussion became discursive, straying far from the original topic.
Incorrect: The teacher warned him against his discoursive answers on the exam.
Correct: The teacher warned him against his discursive answers on the exam.
Discursive Definitions
Characterized by a departure from the subject, method, or ideas; rambling.
Her lectures are engaging but sometimes too discursive, leaving students puzzled about the main points.
Involving a detailed discussion of something, often moving from topic to topic without a strict pattern.
The book is a discursive examination of philosophical theories throughout history.
Proceeding by argument or reasoning rather than by intuition.
His approach to solving problems is highly discursive, relying on logic and evidence.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of discourse communication of thought by words, talk, or conversation.
Effective discursive skills are essential for success in debates and public speaking.
Meandering or wandering away from the subject.
His writing style is discursive, often incorporating stories and anecdotes that illustrate broader points.
Covering a wide field of subjects; rambling.
Proceeding to a conclusion through reason rather than intuition.
(of speech or writing) Tending to digress from the main point; rambling.
(philosophy) Using reason and argument rather than intuition.
Passing from one thing to another; ranging over a wide field; roving; digressive; desultory.
The power he [Shakespeare] delights to show is not intense, but discursive.
A man rather tacit than discursive.
Reasoning; proceeding from one ground to another, as in reasoning; argumentative.
Reason is her being,Discursive or intuitive.
Proceeding to a conclusion by reason or argument rather than intuition
(of e.g. speech and writing) tending to depart from the main point or cover a wide range of subjects;
Amusingly digressive with satirical thrusts at women's fashions among other things
A rambling discursive book
His excursive remarks
A rambling speech about this and that
Discursive Meaning in a Sentence
The discussion was discursive, touching on many related themes.
Teachers encourage discursive essays that explore a topic comprehensively.
His writing is discursive, making it sometimes hard to follow.
A discursive article might explore multiple aspects of a topic, not just one linear argument.
Discursive thinking is common in brainstorming sessions where various ideas are explored.
A discursive speech can be difficult to follow if it lacks clear markers and transitions.
The novel’s narrative style is discursive, often veering into tangential anecdotes.
She enjoys the discursive style of the podcast, which covers a range of topics in each episode.
His emails are discursive and usually contain much more information than necessary.
They engaged in a discursive debate, each bringing different perspectives.
Discursive Idioms & Phrases
Discursive practice
The use of spoken or written language in a social context.
The classroom is an excellent place to observe discursive practices among students.
Discursive approach
A way of addressing issues that involves open and extensive discussion and reasoning.
His discursive approach to meetings can be time-consuming but often yields innovative solutions.
Discursive journey
A method of discussing or writing that involves many detailed digressions or deviations.
The lecture was a discursive journey through the history of the English language.
Discursive space
The metaphorical area where open, exploratory, or unstructured communication occurs.
Online forums provide a discursive space for people to share and contest ideas freely.
Discursive style
A style of communication or writing that is expansive and meandering rather than succinct.
Her discursive style of writing makes her essays compelling but sometimes hard to follow.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in discursive?
Discursive has three syllables.
How do we divide discursive into syllables?
Discursive is divided into syllables as dis-cur-sive.
What is the verb form of discursive?
Discursive is an adjective and does not have a verb form.
What is the pronunciation of discursive?
Discursive is pronounced as /dɪˈskɜrsɪv/.
What part of speech is discursive?
Discursive is an adjective.
Why is it called discursive?
"Discursive" is called so because it comes from Latin "discursus," meaning running to and fro, which metaphorically applies to moving between different topics in speech or writing.
How is discursive used in a sentence?
Discursive is used to describe speech or writing that meanders or wanders from the subject.
What is a stressed syllable in discursive?
The stressed syllable in "discursive" is "cur."
What is the singular form of discursive?
The singular form is "discursive."
What is the root word of discursive?
The root word of "discursive" is "discursus" from Latin.
What is another term for discursive?
Another term for discursive could be "rambling" or "digressive."
Is discursive a collective noun?
No, discursive is not a noun.
Is the word discursive a Gerund?
No, discursive is not a gerund.
Which determiner is used with discursive?
Determiners like "a," "the," or "some" can be used, e.g., "a discursive essay."
What is the opposite of discursive?
The opposite of discursive could be "concise" or "succinct."
Is discursive a noun or adjective?
Discursive is an adjective.
Is discursive an adverb?
No, discursive is not an adverb.
Which vowel is used before discursive?
As an adjective, discursive does not require a vowel before it.
Is discursive a vowel or consonant?
The word "discursive" starts with a consonant sound.
What is the plural form of discursive?
The plural form is also "discursive."
Is discursive a countable noun?
Discursive is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Is the word discursive imperative?
As an adjective, discursive cannot form an imperative.
Which preposition is used with discursive?
Common prepositions used with "discursive" include "in" and "of," e.g., "discursive in nature."
Which conjunction is used with discursive?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used, e.g., "discursive and thorough."
Is discursive an abstract noun?
No, discursive is not a noun; it's an adjective.
Is discursive a negative or positive word?
Discursive is neutral; it can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Is the discursive term a metaphor?
Discursive can be metaphorically used to describe the nature of a discussion or argument.
Is the word “discursive” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Discursive, being an adjective, cannot be a direct or indirect object.
Which article is used with discursive?
The indefinite article "a" or the definite article "the" can be used with discursive, depending on the context.
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Written by
Sumaia Saeed
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
