be talking to about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be talking to about" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a conversation or discussion with someone about a specific topic, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "I will be talking to you about the project details later."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Among the first people Bezos should be talking to about this is Rob Malda, co-founder of the great Slashdot site – which is almost entirely about conversation and curation – and now a WaPo Labs employee.

The Guardian - Opinion

Typically, the FBI starts off with a list of references we want to talk to these people that the subject of the investigation has given us a list of and the last question you ask every witness is who are the other people that we should be talking to about this so that you get beyond the people that the nominee wants you to talk to.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Who have I been talking to about economic policy?

The New York Times

I really haven't been talked to about that.

Huffington Post

I've been talking to you about.

The New Yorker

I'm talking to them about nothing.

The Guardian - Arts

"I was talking to Richard Branson about this.

The Guardian - Tech

Curtis was talking to Sarah about matches.

Acta Psychologica

Marcus was talking to Steven about his new gun.

Acta Psychologica

Andy was talking to Tara about his friend Mary.

Acta Psychologica

Jason was talking to Nancy about her car.

Acta Psychologica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be talking to about" in formal writing. Opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "discussing with" or "speaking to about" to maintain clarity and professionalism.

Common error

Do not combine prepositions unnecessarily. Instead of "talking to about", choose the correct preposition based on the verb, such as "talking with" or "discussing with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be talking to about" functions as an attempt to describe a conversation or discussion. However, it is grammatically flawed due to the unnecessary combination of prepositions. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase lacks clarity and proper structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be talking to about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is non-standard and lacks clarity. Although some instances appear in sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, more grammatically sound alternatives, such as "discussing with" or "talking with someone about", are preferable for ensuring clear and effective communication. Due to its low frequency and grammatical issues, it's best to avoid using "be talking to about" in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking with someone about

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes talking with someone, rather than to them. It corrects the grammatical error.

discussing something with

This is a more direct and grammatically correct way to express the same idea. It centers on the topic being discussed and the person involved.

discussing with

Replaces the entire phrase with a more direct and grammatically correct alternative. It emphasizes the act of having a discussion with someone.

speaking about with someone

Inverts the order slightly, focusing on the topic first, then indicating the person involved in the conversation. Grammatically correct.

speaking to about

Uses a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the act of speaking with someone regarding a certain subject.

chatting with about

Emphasizes a casual, informal conversation with someone about something.

conferring with regarding

A more formal option suitable for professional or academic contexts. It replaces "about" with "regarding".

conversing with about

Suggests a more elaborate and thoughtful exchange of ideas with someone.

exchanging views with on

Highlights the exchange of opinions or perspectives with someone on a particular subject, offering a more nuanced approach.

having a conversation with about

A more verbose but grammatically sound way of describing the act of discussing something with someone.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct way to say "be talking to about"?

Alternatives include "discussing with", "speaking to about", or "talking with someone about", depending on the context. These options offer clarity and adhere to standard English grammar.

Why is "be talking to about" considered incorrect?

The phrase incorrectly combines prepositions. The proper structure usually involves using either "talking with someone about" or "discussing something with" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "be talking to about", and should I use it?

While you might find the phrase in informal speech or writing, it's best to avoid it in formal contexts. Using more precise language enhances clarity and credibility.

How does using "talking with someone about" differ from "be talking to about"?

"Talking with someone about" is grammatically correct and implies a two-way conversation. In contrast, "be talking to about" is non-standard and can sound awkward or unclear. The former is always preferable in written and formal spoken English.