The meaning of "exchange"
Hello, I have a question about a word that exists in both English and French : exchange/échange.
In French, "échange" means someone giving someone else something and then this person gives something else to the other one, but it can also mean someone talking to someone else, they are having an "échange", a conversation.
So I'd like to know if in English, "exchange" has also this second meaning? Can we say "people are having an exchange" (=are having a conversation) and "people are exchanging" (=are talking together) ?
Thanks!

Question

Answer

Hi Rose. Yes, it does have the same second meaning in English although I would say it is rarely used. It is more likely to be used to describe a discussion when two people have conflicting views. For example, if two people are arguing or having a heated debate, you may say that they are having 'an exchange of views'. General day to day speaking between people would just be considered a conversation. It would sound odd to English ears if you said I had an exchange with me neighbour earlier, conversation would be the way to go.

Hope this helps.

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