could be talked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be talked" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express that something is open for discussion or conversation, but it is not a commonly used construction. Example: "The issue could be talked about during the meeting."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Cook was asked whether he thought Favre could be talked into returning: "I don't know," he said.

The New York Times

That Penn State ever got to the point where that could be talked about as the ultimate punishment — something like dying — is part of the problem.

The New Yorker

If it was an emergency, I could be talked in to it, but anything else, especially anything preventative, was out of the question.

The Guardian - Books

Reports suggest insurgents may be blocking some in the south from fleeing to refugee camps, but Burns said the rebels "are not monolithic" and could be talked to.

The Guardian

Whether Rodgers could be talked into taking the Swansea position on a short-term basis, until the end of the season, is unclear.

The Guardian - Sport

(Addendum to Columbia J-School Young 'un: by the way, how much money are we talking, because we could be talked into losing Janeane).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

She could be talking to her twin.

The New York Times

Vick could be talking about Eagles fans.

The New York Times - Sports

But he could be talking about himself.

The Guardian - Sport

"You could be talking about the Amazon".

The New York Times

Tarantino could be talking to himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. "Could be persuaded" implies active convincing, while "can be discussed" suggests openness to conversation without necessarily implying influence.

Common error

The phrase "could be talked" is an example of awkward passive voice. Ensure correct grammar by restructuring the sentence to use a clearer subject and verb, for example, "one could be persuaded" or "the issue could be discussed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be talked" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing possibility or potential. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect as it uses the passive voice awkwardly. Ludwig AI marks it as not correct and suggests more suitable alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could be talked" appears with notable frequency, predominantly in news and media sources, yet it is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. This modal verb phrase aims to convey the potential for influence through conversation, but its awkward passive voice construction undermines its effectiveness. For clearer and more professional communication, alternative phrases like "could be persuaded", "can be discussed", or "is open to discussion" are recommended. Understanding the nuances between these options—persuasion implying active convincing, and discussion implying openness—enhances precision. While the phrase is understandable, its grammatical shortcomings make it unsuitable for formal or academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be persuaded

Emphasizes the possibility of changing someone's mind through convincing arguments.

could be convinced

Similar to 'persuaded', but focuses on overcoming doubt or disbelief.

could be influenced

Highlights the potential to have an effect on someone's decisions or actions.

is open to discussion

Indicates a willingness to consider different viewpoints and engage in conversation.

is open to negotiation

Suggests a possibility of reaching an agreement through dialogue and compromise.

can be discussed

Focuses on the possibility of talking about a topic.

might be addressed

Highlights the potential to deal with or solve a problem through communication.

may be considered

Indicates that an idea or proposal could be given thought and attention.

can be negotiated

Highlights the possibility of discussing and modifying terms or conditions.

might be swayed

Suggests the potential to change someone's opinion or course of action.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could be talked" to sound more professional?

To sound more professional, use alternatives like "could be persuaded", "can be discussed", or "is open to discussion" depending on the context.

What's a more grammatically correct alternative to "could be talked"?

A more grammatically correct alternative is "could be persuaded". This phrasing correctly uses the passive voice with a more standard verb.

Is "could be talked" considered formal English?

No, "could be talked" is not considered formal English. It's better to use more polished alternatives such as "could be convinced" or "might be addressed" in formal contexts.

How does the meaning change if I use "could be persuaded" instead of "could be talked"?

Using "could be persuaded" implies a deliberate effort to convince someone, whereas "could be talked" is vague and less direct about the means of influence. The former is generally clearer and more impactful.