Hold Conversation

[EricaWW]

a) "He held conversation with her."
b) "He held a conversation with her."

Does a) mean he stopped talking with her, or is it a corrupted version of b)?

[bhaisahab]

a) "He held conversation with her."
b) "He held a conversation with her."

Does a) mean he stopped talking with her, or is it a corrupted version of b)?

Only b) is natural.

[billmcd]

Only b) is natural.

Agree, and if one wanted to stop or suspend conversation you could say "held up conversation".

[5jj]

Agree, and if one wanted to stop or suspend conversation you could say "held up conversation".

Perhaps it's because I am a BrE speaker, but I cannot think of a situation in which I would want to use 'hold up conversation'.

[billmcd]

Perhaps it's because I am a BrE speaker, but I cannot think of a situation in which I would want to use 'hold up conversation'.

Perhaps, maybe a strech but consider, "he held up conversation with her rather than offend her any further".

[5jj]

Perhaps, maybe a strech but consider, "he held up conversation with her rather than offend her any further".

That may be OK in AmE, but for me it's just wrong.

[Mehrgan]

Hi all,
Could we possibly say, 'he broke off the conversation'? If yes, would it imply a complete stop or a short pause?

Thanks in advance.

[5jj]

Hi all,
Could we possibly say, 'he broke off the conversation'? Yes

If yes, would it imply a complete stop or a short pause? That would depend on context..

I think.

[Mehrgan]

I rhink.

Thanks a million!