earnest talks

USAGE SUMMARY

"earnest talks" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe serious or sincere discussions about important matters. Example: "The two leaders engaged in earnest talks to resolve the conflict." Alternative expressions include "serious discussions" and "sincere conversations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Rumors about Mr. Mandela's health have swirled for years, even in the days after his release from prison in 1990, when apartheid was crumbling and earnest talks between the African National Congress and the governing National Party began.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

There was Bhutto deep in earnest talk about politics.

The New York Times

There's an awful lot of earnest talk about Druids and Stonehenge and Tarot cards.

The New York Times - Books

It made for a jarring juxtaposition with this earnest talk of bureaucratic reform.

The New York Times

Failure to do so will simply demonstrate that all the earnest talk of reform was merely lip service.

The New York Times

For all the earnest talk of multiculturalism and painless geography lessons, though, inevitably the show favors entertainment over erudition.

The New York Times

Settings previously devoted to eye-to-eye contact and earnest talk are fast turning into venues for shutting out others.

The New York Times

The novel contrasts the language of hierarchy with the language of democracy; the television show contrasts earnest talk of democracy with mouthings of it.

The New Yorker

Nelson can't seem to find the right tone; he veers from backwoods comedy to nervously unhinged violence to earnest talk of poetry and the meaning of life.

The New Yorker

But despite all the earnest talk of light rail getting people back downtown, what lingers are the eerily quiet images of the former Motor City.

The New York Times - Arts

Two years ago, with a lucky Facebook-based fortune and earnest talk about great journalism, Chris Hughes seduced a lot of hardened veterans of the New York-Washington news world who were desperate for a vision of the future.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earnest talks" to describe discussions where participants are genuinely committed to finding a resolution or understanding a complex issue.

Common error

Avoid using "earnest talks" in informal contexts, as it can sound overly serious or even pretentious. Choose simpler, more casual terms like "serious chats" or "sincere talks" for relaxed settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earnest talks" functions as a noun phrase where "earnest" modifies "talks", indicating the serious and sincere nature of the discussions. This phrase is often used to describe diplomatic, political, or personal conversations aimed at resolving conflicts or addressing important issues, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earnest talks" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to depict serious and sincere discussions. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase primarily functions as a noun phrase, modifying the discussions to indicate a high level of sincerity and purpose. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember that although grammatical correctness is not disputed, the level of formality has to be taken into consideration. Alternative phrases like "serious discussions" or "sincere conversations" can offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is best used when describing events of significance and genuine intent.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious discussions

Emphasizes the gravity and importance of the conversation.

sincere conversations

Highlights the honesty and genuineness of the dialogue.

heartfelt dialogues

Adds an emotional dimension, suggesting deep feelings are involved.

intense negotiations

Focuses on the potentially high-stakes nature of the discussions.

frank exchanges

Suggests openness and directness in the communication.

open-hearted conversations

Emphasizes vulnerability, trust and honest engagement of the participants.

in-depth discussions

Emphasizes the completeness and thoroughness of the dialog.

meaningful conversations

Focuses on the impact, value and significance of the dialog.

thoughtful dialogues

Emphasizes the well considered and considered nature of the discussion.

genuine dialogues

Emphasizes the truthfulness and authenticity of the discussion.

FAQs

How can I use "earnest talks" in a sentence?

You can use "earnest talks" to describe serious and sincere discussions. For example: "The diplomats engaged in "earnest talks" to resolve the border dispute".

What are some alternatives to "earnest talks"?

Alternatives include "serious discussions", "sincere conversations", or "heartfelt dialogues", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "earnest talks"?

"Earnest talks" is appropriate when describing formal or important discussions where participants are genuinely committed to finding a resolution. It is frequently used in "news media" and formal settings.

What is the difference between "earnest talks" and "casual conversation"?

"Earnest talks" suggests a serious and sincere discussion with a specific purpose, while "casual conversation" implies a relaxed and informal exchange without a particular agenda. The level of formality and intent distinguishes the two.