he talked over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he talked over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone speaks while another person is speaking, often interrupting or dominating the conversation. Example: "During the meeting, he talked over his colleagues, making it difficult for anyone else to share their ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He talked over my head many a time".

The New York Times - Magazine

As he talked over lunch, he hid his hand in various ways — behind a napkin, under the table.

The New York Times - Sports

He talked over the situation with the company's executive officer, Lt. Paul Bergson, a chubby, college-educated white officer with a mordant sense of humor.

The New York Times

As he led a visitor on a tour five days before the Oct. 10 opening, he talked over a din of nail guns and power drills that began at 6 30 a.m. and would continue past midnight.

The New York Times

On Monday, as he did when he spoke to Lens about POYi, Mr. Walker held his infant son in his arms as he talked over the phone about the announcement, which was made Monday afternoon by Columbia University.

The New York Times

There was John J. Carty, red‐faced, hearty and ef ficient‐looking in his yellow shirtsleeves and suspenders, a well‐chewed cigar in his hand, as he talked over a new plan for auditing the operational effectiveness of city departments with his boss.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

He talks over speaker phone with the Big Man, who wants him to create new supervillains in return for funding.

Wikipedia

You follow all the rules and try to be professional and he talks over you about nothing.

Huffington Post

At 4.30, he talks, over the phone again, with the top general of Turkish Army, Hulusi Akar.

Huffington Post

"Can you please stop interrupting?" he asked as she talked over him.

Huffington Post

When Valentine got the offer, he talked it over with the Mayor.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he talked over" when you want to emphasize that someone interrupted or dominated a conversation. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting power dynamics or communication styles.

Common error

Avoid using "he talked over" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral or professional terms like "he interjected" or "he added" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he talked over" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically describing an action where someone speaks while another person is speaking, often implying interruption or dominance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he talked over" is a grammatically sound and usable expression in English, predominantly found in news and media contexts. It describes the action of one person speaking while another is already speaking, often implying interruption or dominance. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to consider the connotation of impoliteness or lack of respect when using this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "he interjected" or "he contributed" might be more appropriate. Remember to use "he talked over" when you want to highlight a power dynamic or communication style, but be mindful of the potential negative implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he interrupted

Focuses specifically on the act of breaking into someone else's speech.

he spoke over

A more direct synonym, emphasizing the action of speaking while someone else is.

he cut in

Implies a sudden and often unwanted interruption.

he broke in

Similar to "he cut in", suggesting an intrusion into the conversation.

he butted in

Suggests an impolite or unwelcome interruption.

he interjected

A more formal way of saying he interrupted.

he chipped in

Suggests a brief or quick interruption, often to add a comment.

he added to the conversation

A neutral way of saying he contributed, without negative connotation.

he discussed

Focuses on the act of talking about a topic, rather than interrupting.

he conferred about

Suggests a formal discussion or consultation.

FAQs

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

You can use "he talked over" to describe a situation where someone interrupts or dominates a conversation. For example, "During the meeting, "he talked over" his colleagues, making it difficult for anyone else to share their ideas."

What's the difference between "he talked over" and "he interrupted"?

"He interrupted" is a more general term for breaking into someone's speech. "He talked over" implies a continuous action of speaking while someone else is trying to speak, often dominating the conversation. The term "he interrupted" emphasizes the breaking in.

Which is more appropriate, "he talked over" or "he spoke over"?

Both "he talked over" and "he spoke over" are similar in meaning. "He spoke over" might be seen as slightly more formal, but they are largely interchangeable. In a formal setting, consider using "he interjected".

Are there any negative connotations associated with "he talked over"?

Yes, "he talked over" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting impoliteness, dominance, or a lack of respect for others' opinions. Using alternatives like "he contributed" or "he added to the conversation" can provide a more neutral tone.