started chatting

USAGE SUMMARY

"started chatting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing two people who have begun a conversation. For example, "They exchanged pleasantries for a few moments before they started chatting more openly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The young woman and I started chatting.

The New York Times

"We started chatting," Mr. Stead said.

The New York Times

She laughed, and we started chatting.

The New Yorker

We sat down and started chatting.

The Guardian - Sport

After stirring up the drinks, they started chatting.

The New York Times

People immediately started chatting while I waited at red lights.

The New York Times

They started chatting and discovered a mutual appreciation of music.

The New York Times

After we wrapped up, I started chatting with the producer.

The New York Times

They started chatting about music and other topics.

The Washington Post

They had started chatting online in the spring of 2006.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Immediately after, a slick-looking guy started chatting up Ferdowsi in Farsi.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "started chatting" to describe the beginning of a casual, friendly conversation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While acceptable in many situations, "started chatting" implies a level of informality. For describing the commencement of formal negotiations or serious discussions, use phrases like "initiated discussions" or "began negotiations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "started chatting" functions as a verb phrase indicating the initiation of an informal conversation. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It describes the action of beginning to converse in a relaxed manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

17%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "started chatting" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the beginning of a casual conversation. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business and academic settings. While acceptable in most situations, it's important to consider the level of formality required and opt for more precise alternatives like "began conversing" or "initiated dialogue" in strictly formal or scientific writing. Overall, "started chatting" is a versatile and reliable phrase for describing the initiation of a friendly conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

got to talking

Indicates that the conversation developed naturally over time.

began conversing

More formal alternative, implying a more structured or deliberate conversation.

struck up a conversation

Implies a more spontaneous initiation of the conversation.

commenced talking

A slightly more formal way of saying started talking.

engaged in conversation

Similar to 'began conversing', but emphasizes participation.

initiated dialogue

Suggests a more intentional and potentially important exchange.

became conversational

Highlights the transition to a chatty or conversational state.

opened a dialogue

Implies initiating a more formal or structured conversation.

exchanged words

Highlights the simple act of speaking to each other, without implying deep conversation.

broke the ice

Focuses on overcoming initial awkwardness to start a conversation.

FAQs

What's a good way to use "started chatting" in a sentence?

You can use "started chatting" to describe the beginning of a casual conversation, such as "They met at a conference and "started chatting" about their research interests."

What can I say instead of "started chatting"?

You can use alternatives like "began conversing", "struck up a conversation", or "got to talking" depending on the context.

Is "started chatting" appropriate for formal writing?

While "started chatting" is generally acceptable, it's best to use more formal alternatives like "began conversing" or "initiated dialogue" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "started chatting" and "started talking"?

"Started talking" is a more general term for beginning a conversation, while "started chatting" implies a more casual and friendly exchange. You might say "They "started talking" about the project" but "They "started chatting" about their weekend plans."