I chatted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I chatted with" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts, including informal and formal writing. Example: I chatted with my co-worker during our lunch break about the new project we were working on.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I chatted with Razan yesterday.

The New York Times

I chatted with them.

The New Yorker

I chatted with the museum staff.

The New York Times - Arts

I chatted with dog owners.

The New York Times - Arts

I chatted with strangers at the ballpark.

The New York Times - Arts

On Monday, I chatted with teachers at my neighborhood school.

The New York Times

After my muffin adventure, I chatted with the cashier.

The New York Times - Tech

I chatted with the driver as he pumped the gas.

The New York Times

When I chatted with him in May, prospects were better.

The Guardian - Tech

Last week, I chatted with Bill Nichols, Politico's managing editor.

The Guardian

Last week, I chatted with Marx, a contributor to The New Yorker, about the book.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I chatted with" to convey a casual and friendly conversation, suitable for informal writing or when describing relaxed interactions.

Common error

Avoid using "I chatted with" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for phrases like "I spoke with" or "I had a conversation with" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "I chatted with" is to express a past action of having a casual conversation. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is commonly used, as shown in numerous examples from various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I chatted with" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a casual conversation. Ludwig AI examples showcase its widespread use in news and media contexts. While suitable for informal settings, it's best to choose more formal alternatives like "I spoke with" in professional or academic writing. Keep in mind its informal tone to ensure it aligns with the overall tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I spoke with

Replaces "chatted" with "spoke", suggesting a potentially more formal or focused conversation.

I talked to

Uses a more generic term "talked" instead of "chatted", indicating a conversation without specifying its tone.

I had a conversation with

Emphasizes the interaction as a conversation, slightly more formal than "chatted".

I discussed with

Suggests a more in-depth exchange of information or opinions.

I conferred with

Implies a more formal or official consultation.

I engaged in conversation with

A more elaborate and formal way to express having a conversation.

I visited with

In some regional dialects, this can mean a casual conversation, similar to "chatted with".

I had a few words with

Implies a brief and casual conversation.

I exchanged pleasantries with

Highlights the social aspect of the conversation, focusing on polite and friendly exchanges.

I made small talk with

Indicates a light, informal conversation about trivial matters.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I chatted with"?

You can use alternatives like "I spoke with", "I talked to", or "I had a conversation with" depending on the context.

Is "I chatted with" formal or informal?

"I chatted with" is generally considered informal. For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "I discussed with" or "I conferred with".

How to use "I chatted with" in a sentence?

You can use "I chatted with" to describe a casual conversation you had with someone. For example, "I chatted with my neighbor about the weather".

What is the difference between "I chatted with" and "I talked with"?

"I chatted with" implies a more relaxed and informal conversation, while "I talked with" is more general and doesn't necessarily suggest the tone of the conversation.