avoided talking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "avoided talking about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a topic that someone chose not to discuss or engage with. Example: "During the meeting, she avoided talking about her recent performance issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I avoided talking about it.

Independent

We avoided talking about alliances," he said.

The Guardian

Many avoided talking about it and acted as normal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Often, both doctors and patients had avoided talking about death.

The New York Times

As a politician, Ryan avoided talking about her private life.

The Guardian

When he did, he avoided talking about his private life.

The Guardian

Publicly, the cardinal has avoided talking about the strike.

The New York Times

For years, he avoided talking about his poetry with business colleagues.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

However, after about the seventh month of hospitalization, the patients avoided talking about death in general.

BMC Palliative Care

Inside the room, the men avoided talking about the future.

The New York Times

Belinda Stronach avoided talking about one key reason many people don't attend horse races.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of the context when choosing "avoided talking about". In more formal settings, alternatives like "refrained from discussing" or "declined to comment on" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "avoided talking about" is widely understood, it can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "bypassed mention of" or "omitted discussion of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "avoided talking about" functions as a verb phrase indicating a deliberate act of evasion or omission. It highlights the subject's choice not to engage in discussion regarding a particular topic. As shown by Ludwig, it is often used in news and media to describe how individuals or entities handle sensitive or controversial subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "avoided talking about" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of deliberately not discussing a specific topic. Ludwig AI highlights that it's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or professional settings. When using this phrase, consider adding context about the reason for avoidance to enhance clarity. Ludwig also suggests that overuse in formal contexts should be avoided and replaced with more sophisticated alternatives like "refrained from discussing" or "declined to comment on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evaded talking about

Focuses on the act of escaping or eluding discussion of the topic.

declined to comment on

A formal way of refusing to provide information or engage in discussion.

refrained from discussing

Implies a more formal and conscious decision to abstain from discussion.

steered clear of discussing

Indicates a deliberate effort to avoid the topic altogether.

sidestepped the issue of

Suggests skillfully avoiding a direct confrontation with the topic.

skirted around the subject

Indicates a less direct avoidance, moving around the topic without addressing it head-on.

dodged the question of

Emphasizes agility in avoiding a direct answer or discussion.

remained silent on

Highlights the lack of any verbal engagement with the topic.

passed over in silence

Suggests the topic was intentionally ignored or omitted.

didn't address

Simply states that the topic was not dealt with or discussed.

FAQs

What does "avoided talking about" mean?

The phrase "avoided talking about" means someone deliberately chose not to discuss a particular subject, often due to discomfort, sensitivity, or strategic reasons. It indicates an intentional act of evasion or silence regarding a specific topic.

How can I use "avoided talking about" in a sentence?

You can use "avoided talking about" to describe someone's behavior in relation to a specific topic. For example: "The politician "avoided talking about" the scandal during the interview" or "She "avoided talking about" her past experiences."

What are some alternatives to "avoided talking about"?

Alternatives include "refrained from discussing", "declined to comment on", "steered clear of discussing", or "skirted around the subject". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "avoided talking about" formal or informal?

"Avoided talking about" is generally considered neutral and suitable for most everyday communication. However, in highly formal or academic contexts, more sophisticated alternatives like "refrained from discussing" or "declined to comment on" might be more appropriate.