I was talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was talking" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence to express a past action that was ongoing. For example, "I was talking to my friend when I realized I had forgotten to do my chores."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I was talking about infidelity.

The New Yorker

I was talking too fast.

The New Yorker

I was talking shit".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was talking to Larry without talking.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was talking to my buddy here.

The New York Times

Thought I was talking about Charlie.

The New Yorker

"I was talking about changing our politics.

The New York Times

I was talking about it today.

The New York Times - Sports

I was talking to somebody else".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I was talking about the radical environmentalists.

Huffington Post

"I was talking about hand grenades.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was talking" to set the scene for a narrative or to introduce a piece of information that came up during a conversation. This helps to contextualize the information.

Common error

Avoid using "I was talking" without providing sufficient context about the conversation. If you don't specify who you were talking to or what the topic was, the statement may lack relevance or be confusing to the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was talking" functions as a past continuous verb phrase. It describes an action (talking) that was in progress at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was talking" is a grammatically sound and very common way to describe an ongoing action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to provide context or set the stage for subsequent events in a narrative. While "I was discussing" or "I was chatting" can serve as alternatives depending on the context, ensuring clarity about the subject and recipient of the conversation is key for effective communication. Avoid ambiguity and provide relevant details to enhance understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was discussing

Implies a more formal or structured conversation about a specific topic.

I happened to be speaking

Emphasizes the accidental or coincidental nature of the speaking.

I had a conversation

Emphasizes the completed action of having a conversation.

I engaged in conversation

Highlights the active participation in a dialog.

I was in dialogue

Suggests a more formal or in-depth exchange of ideas.

I communicated verbally

Focuses on the method of communication being oral.

I shared my thoughts

Focuses on the act of expressing personal opinions or ideas.

I chatted with

Implies an informal and friendly conversation.

I expressed myself verbally

Highlights the act of conveying one's feelings or ideas through speech.

I conferred with

Suggests a formal discussion for the purpose of making a decision.

FAQs

How can I use "I was talking" in a sentence?

You can use "I was talking" to describe an ongoing conversation in the past, for example, "I was talking to John when the phone rang" or "I was talking about the project during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "I was talking"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I was discussing", "I was chatting", or "I was speaking with".

Is it correct to say "I were talking"?

No, "I were talking" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "I was talking", as "was" is the past tense of "to be" that agrees with the singular pronoun "I".

What's the difference between "I was talking" and "I talked"?

"I was talking" implies an ongoing or incomplete action in the past, while "I talked" indicates a completed action. For instance, "I was talking when she interrupted" versus "I talked to her yesterday".