discuss = transitive — no about/of (GiU Unit 133)
Which is right
Section titled “Which is right”I don’t want to discuss what happened last night. Let’s forget it. ✓
- discuss + direct object — no preposition: discuss the plan, discuss it, discuss what happened
- ✗ discuss about what happened (most common learner error)
- ✗ discuss of what happened
- what happened (last night) = noun clause as the object
discuss already means “talk about” — the preposition is baked into the verb. English verbs differ:
- discuss = transitive: discuss the issue (no prep)
- talk = intransitive: talk about the issue
- speak = speak of / speak about
- mention = transitive like discuss: mention it, ✗ mention about it
Similar baked-in verbs (no preposition)
Section titled “Similar baked-in verbs (no preposition)”- discuss something (✗ discuss about)
- mention something (✗ mention about)
- enter a room (✗ enter into the room)
- marry someone (✗ marry with)
- answer a question (✗ answer to)
- approach someone/something (✗ approach to)
- lack something (✗ lack of — but the noun is “a lack of”)
Source
Section titled “Source”Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, Unit 133 — Verb + preposition 2. Ebot lesson 2026-09-05.