chat informally about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chat informally about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to casual conversations on various topics without a formal structure. Example: "During the meeting, we had a chance to chat informally about our weekend plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They chat informally about "what if" scenarios.

The Economist

Visitors seem to love this opportunity to chat informally about human evolution, even if it takes them a few minutes to warm up.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Seeing potential buyers at local enterprise tech events like the NY Enterprise Tech Meetup makes it easier to chat informally about their IT pain points and gauge interest in your solution.

TechCrunch

Employees are encouraged to touch base with their talking partners daily, ideally in the morning, to chat informally about what's on their minds and blow off steam if necessary.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Early segments of "The Secret Museum," which was broadcast on Pacifica Radio's WBAI-FM from 1990 to 1996 and moved to WFMU in 1997, featured Kafka and Mr. Conte chatting informally about the records; these days the programs rely mostly on Mr. Conte's commentaries.

The New York Times - Arts

On another afternoon when a soft spring breeze beckoned young people to the benches and walls that line La Rampa, the broad and steep concrete staircase that leads to the heart of the campus, a group of students chatted informally about their country's future.

The New York Times

They meet regularly with executives and often chat informally with lower-level employees.

The New York Times

But Archbishop Dolan said he thought of the show as a way to chat informally with the public, picturing himself at their kitchen tables.

The New York Times

Now, whenever he wishes to speak to Fukudome after a game, he simply ambles over to his locker and they chat informally.

The New York Times - Sports

But American officials and a Saudi briefed on their conversations said that Mr. Kushner and Prince Mohammed have continued to chat informally.

The New York Times

We must have consumed hundreds of cups of tea during the data collection phase, but the opportunity to interact and chat informally provided valuable insights and enhanced our standing overall.

BMC International Health and Human Rights

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chat informally about" to depict relaxed and non-structured conversations. It's suitable when the context does not require formal language.

Common error

Avoid using "chat informally about" in professional reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "discuss" or "confer" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chat informally about" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a type of communication. It describes an action (chatting) qualified by the manner in which it is conducted (informally) and specifies the topic of the conversation (about). Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chat informally about" is deemed grammatically correct and usable in written English by Ludwig AI. It denotes a relaxed, unstructured conversation and is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While acceptable, it is considered uncommon in formal settings. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the tone aligns with the context. Alternatives like "discuss casually" or "talk informally about" may offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. While grammatically sound, its usage is more appropriate for casual contexts, as suggested by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talk informally about

A more direct alternative using "talk" instead of "chat", maintaining the informal tone.

discuss casually

Focuses on the discussion aspect while emphasizing a relaxed tone.

have a casual conversation about

Highlights the conversational nature and relaxed atmosphere.

shoot the breeze about

An idiomatic expression implying a very relaxed and unstructured conversation.

converse casually on

A slightly more formal alternative to talking casually.

exchange pleasantries about

Suggests a light and friendly exchange of words on a topic.

touch base informally regarding

Focuses on briefly connecting and discussing a topic in a non-structured way.

kick around ideas

Implies a brainstorming or initial discussion phase in an informal setting.

bandy words about

Suggests exchanging words in a playful or non-serious manner.

make small talk about

Highlights the trivial and lighthearted nature of the conversation.

FAQs

What does "chat informally about" mean?

The phrase "chat informally about" means to have a relaxed, casual conversation about a particular topic without a specific agenda or structure. It suggests a friendly and approachable exchange of ideas or information.

What can I say instead of "chat informally about"?

You can use alternatives like "discuss casually", "talk informally about", or "have a casual conversation about" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "chat informally about" in formal writing?

No, "chat informally about" is best suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, use phrases like "discuss" or "confer".

How can I use "chat informally about" in a sentence?

You can use "chat informally about" like this: "During the coffee break, we had a chance to chat informally about the new project guidelines."