marathon talks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marathon talks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe lengthy discussions or negotiations that take a significant amount of time, often involving multiple parties. Example: "The marathon talks between the two countries lasted for several days, as they sought to reach a comprehensive agreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After the marathon talks, spread over a tense weekend, a breakthrough came early on Monday morning.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Brahimi presided over marathon talks among Afghan leaders earlier this month in Bonn.

The New York Times

Mr. Orr said that despite marathon talks with creditors, there was little or no movement toward settlements.

The New York Times

The proposed truce was announced on Saturday after marathon talks by the Russian and US foreign ministers.

The Guardian

During the marathon talks, Mr. Lamy sought to accommodate an array of competing interests among developed and emerging nations.

The New York Times

BRUSSELS — Euro zone finance ministers and international officials ended marathon talks on Greece's intractable debt early Wednesday morning still at loggerheads over payment of further emergency aid.

The New York Times

Euro zone finance ministers and international officials ended marathon talks on Greece's intractable debt early Wednesday morning still at loggerheads over payment of further emergency aid.

The New York Times

Prime Minister David Cameron struck a deal with other EU leaders over Britain's future in Europe after marathon talks in Brussels on Friday night.

Independent

The sudden reversal by the US in the marathon talks which saw the country duelling with European envoys was met with rousing applause.

The Guardian

The negotiators gave themselves another four months until November, and then after marathon talks in Vienna, it was postponed again, setting 30 June as the new deadline.

The Guardian

Marathon talks between major powers and Iran fail to ease sanctions on the country and produce a deal to freeze its nuclear program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marathon talks" to describe negotiations or discussions that are not only long but also require intense focus and dedication over an extended period.

Common error

Avoid using "marathon talks" simply to describe a long meeting. The phrase implies a high level of intensity, urgency, and sustained effort, so ensure it accurately reflects the nature of the discussions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marathon talks" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it describes an event or process characterized by prolonged and intense discussion, as exemplified in news reports about international negotiations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marathon talks" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe lengthy and intense negotiations or discussions, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and business contexts, it conveys a sense of prolonged effort and high stakes. While alternatives like "extended negotiations" and "prolonged discussions" exist, "marathon talks" specifically emphasizes the intensity of the process. When using this phrase, ensure the context reflects not just the length but also the demanding nature of the discussions. The frequency and authoritative sources confirm its acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extended negotiations

Focuses on the length of the negotiation process, omitting the intensity implied by "marathon".

intensive negotiations

Emphasizes the focus and effort involved in the talks, differing from the duration.

prolonged discussions

Highlights the duration of the discussions, lacking the sense of urgency or critical importance.

grueling negotiations

Emphasizes the exhausting and demanding nature of the negotiations.

lengthy deliberations

Emphasizes the thoughtful and careful consideration involved in the talks.

extensive dialogue

Broader term referring to lengthy and detailed conversations.

drawn-out discussions

Implies the talks were unnecessarily long or tedious.

in-depth conversations

Refers to detailed and thorough discussions, lacking the sense of urgency or critical importance.

round-the-clock talks

Highlights the continuous nature of the discussions.

all-night negotiations

Specifies the time of day during which the negotiations occurred.

FAQs

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

You can use "marathon talks" to describe a lengthy and intense series of negotiations or discussions. For example, "After "marathon talks", the two countries reached a trade agreement."

What are some alternatives to "marathon talks"?

Alternatives include "extended negotiations", "prolonged discussions", or "intensive negotiations". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect you want to emphasize.

Is "marathon talks" formal or informal?

"Marathon talks" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for news reports, business communication, and academic writing. It's less appropriate for very informal contexts.

What makes "marathon talks" different from simply "long talks"?

"Marathon talks" implies not only that the talks were long, but also that they were particularly intense, demanding, and required sustained effort. "Long talks" simply refers to the duration without conveying the same level of intensity.