being talked about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being talked about" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that has garnered interest or attention from the public. For example, "This new television series is being talked about all over the internet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Do you think the levels being talked about are insufficient?

The New York Times

The current thing being talked about is extremely limited.

The New York Times - Magazine

The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about, as the old saying goes.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is being talked about everywhere.

BBC

Peace is again being talked about.

The Economist

"He still loves being talked about.

Independent

But never stop being talked about".

The New York Times

He was being talked about.

The Guardian - Film

Sex is being talked about.

The New York Times

Not being talked about 15.

The New York Times

"The captaincy is being talked about.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "being talked about" to indicate widespread discussion or attention. This construction is effective when you want to convey that a subject has gained public interest.

Common error

Avoid using "being talked about" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. Overuse of passive voice can make your writing seem less assertive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being talked about" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is receiving attention or is under discussion. Examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, signifying public interest or concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being talked about" is a versatile and frequently used expression that indicates widespread discussion or attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "under discussion" or "subject of conversation" may be appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey, "being talked about" remains a clear and effective way to communicate that a topic has garnered public interest. Be mindful of the passive voice and consider whether an active construction might be more impactful in certain cases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject of conversation

Directly indicates that something is what people are talking about.

under discussion

Focuses on the act of discussing rather than the result of being discussed.

attracting attention

Emphasizes the act of gaining notice rather than the state of being discussed.

on everyone's lips

Suggests widespread and current discussion about something.

generating buzz

Implies excitement and active discussion around a topic.

in the spotlight

Highlights the state of being prominently visible or noticed.

making headlines

Indicates that something is newsworthy and receiving media attention.

creating a stir

Implies that something is causing excitement or controversy.

gaining traction

Suggests increasing interest and discussion around a topic.

in the news

Focuses on media coverage rather than general conversation.

FAQs

How can I use "being talked about" in a sentence?

Use "being talked about" to indicate that a subject is currently under discussion. For example, "The new policy is "being talked about" in every department".

What are some alternatives to "being talked about"?

Depending on the context, consider alternatives like "under discussion", "subject of conversation", or "attracting attention".

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "being talked about"?

While "being talked about" is grammatically correct, active voice can sometimes be more direct. For instance, instead of "The issue is "being talked about"", you could say "People are discussing the issue".

What's the difference between "being talked about" and "being discussed"?

"Being discussed" is a more formal and neutral term, while "being talked about" can imply a broader range of conversations, including informal ones. "Being discussed" often suggests a more structured or official discussion.