during a chat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "during a chat" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time period when a conversation is taking place, whether in person or through digital communication. Example: "We discussed several important topics during a chat we had last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The idea for Sugru came in London during a chat with Nicky Smyth of BBC research.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Patti Crane says I am killing her," Paul Schrader says during a chat in early September.

The New York Times - Magazine

This thought was crystallised by something Herbert mentioned during a chat we had by email.

The Guardian - Music

But Ms. Ajami, who is of Lebanese origin, will have none of this nonsense during a chat the other day.

The New York Times

She raised the idea during a chat with the BBC's director of news, James Harding, and he liked it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"We're all the same," he said during a chat in the hut that serves as the family kitchen.

The New York Times

He could hypothetically just show up in the background, "Where's Waldo?"-style, during a chat between McShane's character and Brienne.

The Washington Post

"The sport must have a Federal commissioner if it is to continue as one of our national entertainments," he stated during a chat at his tavern.

The New York Times

Her message control was interrupted only when another prolonged coughing fit forced her to take a break during a chat with a Corpus Christi station.

The New Yorker

Monty isn't happy at all; he was waving his hands in a funk during a chat with Matt Prior halfway through the over.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

DURING a long chat, Mr. Steel is smoothly at ease, at least when the subject isn't Mr. Rutherford.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting information obtained "during a chat", be mindful of the source's reliability and consider whether the information is verifiable.

Common error

Avoid using "during a chat" in formal reports or academic papers. Opt for more formal alternatives like "in conversation" or "during discussions" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "during a chat" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify the time or occasion when an informal conversation takes place. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "during a chat" is a grammatically correct and very common prepositional phrase used to indicate that something occurred within the context of a casual conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal registers, particularly in news and media contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "in conversation" or "during discussions". When using this phrase, ensure that the context remains appropriate and that any reported information aligns with reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while having a conversation

Simplifies the structure while retaining the core meaning.

in conversation

Focuses on the state of being engaged in a conversation.

during informal talk

Replaces "chat" with "informal talk", maintaining the casual tone.

while conversing

Emphasizes the act of having a conversation, replacing "chat" with a more formal term.

over casual conversation

Emphasizes the relaxed and unstructured nature of the conversation.

in a casual discussion

Highlights the relaxed and informal nature of the discussion.

over a discussion

Highlights a more structured or deliberate conversation.

in the course of a conversation

Offers a more formal and elaborate way of expressing the same idea.

as we were chatting

Implies a past, ongoing casual conversation.

while speaking informally

Specifies the manner of speaking as informal, adding clarity to the context.

FAQs

How can I use "during a chat" in a sentence?

You can use "during a chat" to describe when something was mentioned or discussed informally, for example: "She raised the idea "during a chat" with the BBC's director of news."

What's a good alternative to "during a chat"?

Depending on the context, alternatives include "in conversation", "while conversing", or "over a discussion".

Is it appropriate to use "during a chat" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "during a chat" is more suitable for informal contexts. Formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "in the course of a conversation" or "during discussions".

What is the difference between "during a chat" and "in a meeting"?

"During a chat" implies an informal, casual conversation, while "in a meeting" suggests a structured and formal discussion with a specific agenda and participants.