he talked about

USAGE SUMMARY

"he talked about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone discussed a specific topic or thing. For example: "He talked about the upcoming election and the importance of voting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He talked about long.

The New Yorker

He talked about snowboarding.

The New York Times - Sports

He talked about girls.

The New York Times - Sports

He talked about hunger.

The New Yorker

"He talked about it".

The New York Times - Sports

He talked about coöperation.

The New Yorker

He talked about human rights.

The New Yorker

Then he talked about Syria.

The New Yorker

He talked about other marines.

The New Yorker

He talked about honesty.

The Washington Post

"He talked about sustainable living.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he talked about" to introduce a topic that someone discussed, ensuring clarity and context for your reader.

Common error

Avoid phrases like "he talked about about", as this is redundant. Ensure you're not repeating prepositions or adverbs unnecessarily.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he talked about" functions as a verbal phrase introducing the subject or topic of a discussion or conversation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

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, "he talked about" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce the subject of a conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is appropriate in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While alternatives like "he discussed" or "he mentioned" exist, "he talked about" remains a common and acceptable choice. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy in your writing and ensure clarity when reporting what someone discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he discussed

Replaces "talked about" with the more formal synonym "discussed".

he spoke of

Uses "spoke of" instead of "talked about", offering a slightly more literary tone.

he mentioned

Substitutes "talked about" with "mentioned", implying a briefer discussion.

he referenced

Replaces "talked about" with "referenced", suggesting a more academic or formal context.

he addressed

Replaces "talked about" with "addressed", suggesting a formal and direct approach.

he elaborated on

Replaces "talked about" with "elaborated on", implying a detailed explanation.

he touched on

Uses "touched on" to indicate that the discussion was brief or not in-depth.

he commented on

Uses "commented on" to imply that he gave an opinion or remark.

he went into detail about

This alternative expresses a more extensive and thorough discussion of the subject.

he had a conversation about

This alternative suggests an exchange of ideas or opinions on the topic.

FAQs

How can I use "he talked about" in a sentence?

Use "he talked about" to introduce the subject matter of a conversation. For example, "He talked about the importance of environmental conservation".

What can I say instead of "he talked about"?

You can use alternatives like "he discussed", "he mentioned", or "he spoke of" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he talked of" instead of "he talked about"?

While "he talked of" is grammatically correct, "he talked about" is more common in contemporary English. "He talked of" may sound slightly more formal or archaic.

What's the difference between "he talked about" and "he hinted at"?

"He talked about" indicates a direct discussion, while "he hinted at" suggests an indirect or veiled reference. The former is explicit; the latter, implicit.