got to talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'got to talking' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to two or more people having a conversation about a particular topic. For example: "We were talking about our summer holidays when we got to talking about our plans for the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

We got to talking.

The New Yorker

She got to talking about Chinese men.

The New York Times

And we just got to talking.

The New York Times

And soon we got to talking".

The New York Times - Style

Yeah!' Then, Glen Rice got to talking.

The New York Times - Sports

"We got to talking about our backgrounds," Mr. Krakoff recalled.

The New York Times

The two got to talking and decided to collaborate.

The New York Times - Health

His name was Ramón, and we got to talking.

The New Yorker

So I got to talking with the staff.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I've got to talk to people".

Independent

We got to talk about this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "got to talking" to depict the natural flow of conversation, particularly when the discussion evolves organically from initial small talk.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "got to talking" is informal. In professional or academic writing, consider more formal alternatives like "began discussing" or "engaged in conversation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "got to talking" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the commencement of a conversation. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing spontaneous or natural transitions into discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "got to talking" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that describes the beginning of a conversation, often implying spontaneity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted, particularly in news and media. While its register is generally neutral to informal, more formal alternatives should be considered for professional or academic writing. When employing this phrase, consider its narrative function in depicting how conversations naturally evolve.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gets to talking

Shifts the tense to present, describing a habitual action.

got to discussing

Emphasizes a more formal or structured conversation.

got to speaking

Highlights the act of speaking rather than the topic.

struck up a conversation

Indicates a spontaneous start to the conversation.

entered into conversation

Highlights the formal initiation of a dialogue.

got to liking

Focuses on developing affection during the conversation.

got to agreement

Indicates that the conversation led to a consensus.

set to talking

Suggests a planned or arranged conversation.

got to debate

implies a more argumentative or structured discussion.

got to exactly

Focuses on reaching a precise point or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "got to talking" in a sentence?

You can use "got to talking" to describe how a conversation started, as in, "We were waiting for the bus and "got to talking" about the weather".

What's a more formal alternative to "got to talking"?

For a more formal tone, consider phrases like "began discussing", "engaged in conversation", or "commenced a dialogue".

Is "got to talking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "got to talking" is grammatically correct in informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage.

What's the difference between "got to talking" and "started talking"?

"Started talking" simply indicates the beginning of a conversation. "Got to talking" implies a more gradual transition into a conversation, often from a state of silence or unrelated activity.