it was talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was talk" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a conversation or discussion, but it lacks context and clarity. Example: "During the meeting, it was talk about the new project timeline."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But that is what it was: talk.

Independent

It was talk, not gossip.

The Guardian - Film

It was talk spurred by Trump.

The Washington Post

"It was talk," Mr. Sykes said.

The New York Times

"It was talk therapy," he said.

The New York Times

"It was talk, talk, talk that went nowhere, like an academic faculty meeting," Ms. Gornick recalled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Much of it was talked about Ukraine.

The New York Times

I told the company I thought it was talking tosh.

Independent

Then it was talking confidently of moving swiftly into profit.

The Economist

"It was talking about change and it was talking about remembrance".

The New Yorker

The Muslim Brotherhood said it was talking with the government.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to conversations or discussions, use grammatically correct alternatives such as "there was talk" or "it involved discussion" for clarity.

Common error

Do not use the phrasing "it was talk" directly, as it is grammatically awkward and can confuse readers. Instead, clarify with a more specific and correct phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was talk" functions as an attempt to describe a situation primarily involving conversation or discussion. Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is grammatically incorrect, but examples show its use in informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was talk" appears in various sources, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI underscores this point, advising against its use in formal writing. When you need to convey that a situation involved discussion, opt for clearer and grammatically sound alternatives such as "there was talk", "there was discussion", or "it involved conversation". These options will enhance clarity and professionalism in your writing. Keep in mind that "it was talk" can appear in informal contexts but its ambiguity makes it a less desirable choice in professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there was talk

Rephrases the sentence to "there was talk", making it grammatically better and more idiomatic.

it was discussion

Replaces "talk" with "discussion", focusing on a more structured exchange of ideas.

it was conversation

Similar to "it was discussion" but slightly more informal.

it was chatter

Substitutes "talk" with "chatter", indicating informal or casual conversation.

it involved discussion

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the involvement of discussion.

it was discourse

Replaces "talk" with "discourse", suggesting a more formal and extended discussion.

it consisted of talk

Emphasizes that the situation was made up of talk alone, implying a lack of action.

it was hearsay

Replaces "talk" with "hearsay", implying unverified or secondhand information.

the matter was talk

Shifts the focus by using "the matter", clarifying the topic being discussed

it was rumor

Substitutes "talk" with "rumor", suggesting an unconfirmed story circulating among people.

FAQs

What does "it was talk" mean?

The phrase "it was talk" is not grammatically correct. It attempts to convey that a situation involved conversation or discussion, but it lacks clarity. Consider using alternatives like "there was talk".

How can I use "it was talk" correctly in a sentence?

It's best to avoid using "it was talk" due to its grammatical incorrectness. Instead, rephrase your sentence to use phrases like "there was discussion" or "it consisted of talk" to clearly express the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "it was talk"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "there was discussion", "it involved conversation", or "it consisted of talk".

Is "it was talk" grammatically correct?

No, "it was talk" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use grammatically correct alternatives to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. Consider "there was talk", or use a more specific noun like "discussion".