in chatting about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in chatting about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to informal conversations or discussions about a particular topic. Example: "We found ourselves in chatting about our favorite books during the break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Interested in chatting about science careers with your students?

Cornell University

The teenagers wandered in, chatting about their night as they ordered crullers, bagels and cream cheese.

The New York Times

But she hates shopping, she said, and is more interested in chatting about her many creative endeavors.

The New York Times

"They were more interested in chatting about their holidays, about their long weekends," she told The Sunday Times of London in September 2007.

The New York Times

Busy with older children, they weren't interested in chatting about midnight feedings or how to soothe a croupy baby at 3 a.m.

The New York Times

So, Stuart pushed the pause button on the Dow Pathways event and would like to hear from folks who are interested in chatting about how to host, prepare for and moderate difficult conversations.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I'd like to say that I had a total rock 'n' roll experience: Walked in, chatted about Kathleen Hanna the whole time and left looking like Frenchie singing "Beauty School Dropout," but that wasn't the case.

Huffington Post

In honor of the retrospective, I spent an hour with him in his studio in Chelsea chatting about his life and career.

Vice

Craig David and I are sitting in his mum's front room in Southampton, chatting about coincidence and the cosmic.

The Guardian - Music

Well, thank you both for coming in and chatting about it with us today.

Harvard Business Review

"We haven't stopped doing the Karmin covers which is what got us here, but we did spend some time with YouTube in San Francisco chatting about the future.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "in chatting about" with more formal alternatives like "during a discussion of" in academic or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "in chatting about" in formal writing. Instead, opt for phrases like "while discussing" or "during a conversation about" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in chatting about" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a topic within an informal conversation. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes a casual form of communication.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in chatting about" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to introduce a topic within an informal conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s suitable for casual contexts but should be avoided in more formal or professional writing where phrases like "during a discussion of" are more appropriate. While uncommon, its use is seen across various sources, including news, academic, and scientific domains. Be mindful of the register and choose alternative phrasings for maintaining a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just chatting about

Adds a sense of simplicity and lack of seriousness to the conversation.

talking casually about

Highlights the casual nature of the conversation.

casually discussing

Emphasizes the informal nature and the act of discussing.

while discussing

Focuses on the discussion aspect, implying a more directed conversation than casual chatting.

speaking informally about

Similar to casually discussing, but emphasizes the speaking aspect.

during a conversation about

Highlights the conversation itself, suitable for describing the setting of the discussion.

in a discussion on

Emphasizes a more formal or structured discussion rather than casual chatting.

while conversing on the subject of

More formal and emphasizes the topic of the conversation.

over a discussion of

Suggests a discussion taking place during an activity like a meal or meeting.

having a conversation regarding

Implies a direct and focused conversation about a specific matter.

FAQs

How can I use "in chatting about" in a sentence?

You can use "in chatting about" to introduce an informal discussion. For example, "We found ourselves in chatting about our weekend plans."

What are some alternatives to "in chatting about"?

Alternatives include "while discussing", "during a conversation about", or "casually discussing", depending on the level of formality you need.

Is "in chatting about" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "in chatting about" is generally too informal for academic or professional writing. Use more formal phrases like "during a discussion of" or "in a discussion on" instead.

What's the difference between "in chatting about" and "discussing"?

"In chatting about" implies a casual, unstructured conversation, while "discussing" suggests a more focused and potentially formal exchange of ideas.