What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discursive
Example
The professor's lecture was discursive, covering a range of topics related to the subject. [discursive: adjective]
Example
Her writing style was discursive, moving from one idea to another without a clear structure. [discursive: adjective]
verbose
Example
His emails were always verbose, making it difficult to find the important information. [verbose: adjective]
Example
She became verbose when she was nervous, rambling on and on without getting to the point. [verbose: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Verbose is more commonly used than discursive in everyday language. Verbose is often used to describe someone who talks too much or writes too much, while discursive is less common and usually used in academic or intellectual contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discursive and verbose?
Discursive is typically associated with a formal or intellectual tone, while verbose is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.