chattering away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chattering away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is talking continuously or at length, often in a light-hearted or trivial manner. Example: "The children were chattering away in the playground, completely unaware of the time passing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I think I just kept chattering away.

The New York Times

"When I got back they were still all chattering away.

The Guardian - Books

Dozens of people sat on the floor, chattering away; it was an intimidating hubbub.

The New York Times - Science

"I remember going down the corridor with one of the girls, chattering away in Cantonese.

The Guardian

As Hudson was chattering away, he caught Kemp chuckling as he stood at his nearby locker.

The New York Times

Four nights earlier, on Saturday, they were much more animated, sipping Coca-Cola and chattering away.

The New York Times - Style

Now you see these guys in their Nehru outfits and hear them chattering away in Urdu.

The New York Times - Books

Cannon called the younger men Chipmunks, because they were always chattering away.

The New Yorker

When she saw my predicament, her face lit up and she held up her index finger and started chattering away.

The New York Times

Paranoid, I know, but this morning they were chattering away, then suddenly clammed up when they saw me.

The New York Times

Mediate was chattering away, as usual, but there was not much conversation about that 19-hole playoff from 2008.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chattering away" to depict lively and continuous conversation, especially in informal settings or when describing groups of people.

Common error

Avoid using "chattering away" in formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "discussing" or "conversing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chattering away" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a continuous aspect of the verb "chatter". It describes an ongoing action of talking, often implying a lighthearted and continuous manner. Ludwig AI confirms that is perfectly correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chattering away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes someone talking continuously and often lightheartedly. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and widely applicable in English writing. Its primary context is news and media, where it helps depict lively conversations or informal settings. While versatile, it's best to avoid this expression in strictly formal or scientific writing, opting instead for more neutral alternatives. Consider using related phrases like "talking incessantly" or "babbling on" for nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking incessantly

Focuses on the unending nature of the talking.

babbling on

Suggests the talking is somewhat nonsensical or foolish.

prattling on

Emphasizes trivial or empty talk.

rattling on

Implies rapid and continuous speech.

yakking away

Informal term for continuous talking, often about unimportant things.

running on

Suggests the talking is prolonged and perhaps tiresome.

going on about

Indicates the topic of the continuous talking.

conversing continuously

Highlights the ongoing nature of the conversation.

speaking volubly

Emphasizes the fluency and ease of the talking.

talking at length

Focuses on the duration of the talking.

FAQs

How can I use "chattering away" in a sentence?

You can use "chattering away" to describe someone talking continuously, often in a light-hearted manner. For example: "The children were "chattering away" in the playground."

What can I say instead of "chattering away"?

Alternatives include "talking incessantly", "babbling on", or "prattling on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "chattering away" formal or informal?

"Chattering away" is generally considered informal. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "discussing" or "conversing".

What does "chattering away" imply about the conversation?

It often suggests the conversation is light, continuous, and perhaps not very serious. It can also imply a sense of liveliness or excitement.