in the talks

USAGE SUMMARY

"in the talks" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a phrase to refer to a series of conversations or negotiations that are taking place in order to reach an agreement. For example: "It remains to be seen what will be decided in the talks between the two governments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who is taking part in the talks?

The Guardian

Contractors were not involved in the talks.

The New York Times

The opposition must engage in the talks.

The Guardian

A breakthrough in the talks in Ukraine?

The Guardian

Some M.L.S. owners have also been involved in the talks.

The New York Times

"This could make them more assertive in the talks.

The New York Times

He complained about other countries' wielding influence in the talks.

The New York Times

They also demanded a role in the talks.

The New York Times

The US refused to be involved in the talks.

The Guardian

(Russia, another party in the talks, is less irritated).

The Economist

Mr. Karzai quickly called off Afghan participation in the talks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the talks" when you want to refer to the state of ongoing discussions or negotiations, particularly when you want to convey that something is currently being addressed or considered.

Common error

Avoid using "in the talks" when referring to past, concluded discussions. Instead, use phrases like "after the talks" or "following the discussions" to accurately reflect the timeline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the talks" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate the location or context of an action or event. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard and acceptable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the talks" is a very common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to indicate that something is happening during ongoing discussions or negotiations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and also appears in Science and Formal & Business communications. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the ongoing nature of the discussions and avoid using it for concluded events. Alternatives such as "during negotiations" or "within the discussions" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

within the negotiations

This alternative is very similar, but slightly more formal and specific.

participating in negotiations

This alternative highlights the active involvement in the negotiation process.

during negotiations

This alternative specifies the activity more precisely as negotiations.

involved in discussions

This alternative focuses on the participation aspect rather than the location.

amid discussions

This alternative suggests the phrase refers to the ongoing nature of the discussions.

part of the discussions

This alternative is slightly less formal and more general.

during the conversation

This alternative narrows the scope to a specific conversation.

as part of the dialogue

This alternative emphasizes the interactive aspect of the conversations.

at the negotiating table

This alternative vividly describes the setting of the talks.

engaged in conversation

This alternative broadens the context to more general conversations.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the talks" to describe something happening during negotiations, like: "The main issue "in the talks" is wages."

What are some alternatives to "in the talks"?

Alternatives include "during negotiations", "amid discussions", or "within the negotiations", depending on the specific context.

Is "in the talks" formal or informal?

"In the talks" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the source, as Ludwig's examples show.

What does "progress in the talks" mean?

"Progress in the talks" refers to advancements or positive developments occurring during ongoing discussions or negotiations, indicating that the parties involved are moving closer to an agreement or resolution.