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I would like to understand the difference between in the discussion and at the discussion. Could you help please based on my own sentences?

In the discussion the participants considered the issues related to competitiveness and socio-economic divisions in the European Union.

and

The participants at the discussion considered the issues related to competitiveness and socio-economic divisions in the European Union.

If I want to mention that someone participated in the discussion, should I use a phrase X in (or at) the discussion (only a phrase, not a whole sentence).

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  • You can also say participants of the discussion.
    – user6951
    Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 8:24
  • I want to use in or at.
    – user18146
    Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 8:25
  • 4
    I would say that both are correct, but with slightly different meanings: discussion as conversation (in the discussion), and discussion as event (at the discussion).
    – Kreiri
    Commented Apr 10, 2015 at 8:50

3 Answers 3

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At the discussion: We don't know if this person is actually talking, but he is in fact present

In the discussion: We know that this person is participating in the discussion

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3

This might just be me being very slightly picky, but

Participants in the discussion

were actively involved in talking about it

Participants at the discussion

were present but not necessarily taking part, merely watching on as others discussed.

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I think there is a very slight difference. 'at the discussion' refers to the 'event' ... People at the discussion had candy and chocolate. This one points more towards the discussion as an event.

People, in the discussion, argued against 'something' ... This might refer towards what was being discussed, the proceedings of the discussion.

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