stop talking about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stop talking about" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to interrupt a conversation or to ask someone to stop discussing a particular topic. Examples: - "Can we please stop talking about politics? It's causing too much tension between us." - "I'm trying to focus on my work, can you guys stop talking about last night's game?" - "Stop talking about me behind my back. If you have a problem, let's talk about it directly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People stop talking about it".

The New York Times

"Stop talking about your shoes!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Stop talking about faculty lounges.

Stanford University

3) Stop talking about the vulnerable.

Independent

He should stop talking about respect".

Independent

"Mama," Matilda interrupted, "stop talking about work".

The New York Times

"I really should stop talking about this.

The New Yorker

She couldn't stop talking about it.

The New Yorker

Milwaukee can't stop talking about the Bucks.

The Washington Post

Radio announcers can't stop talking about it.

The Washington Post

We should stop talking about photojournalists altogether.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stop talking about" to directly and firmly request an end to a particular conversation or discussion. It's suitable when the topic is uncomfortable, unproductive, or irrelevant.

Common error

In professional or formal communication, avoid using "stop talking about" as it can sound too abrupt or dismissive. Instead, opt for more polite alternatives such as "I would prefer not to discuss this further" or "Let's move on to another topic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stop talking about" functions as an imperative, directly instructing someone to cease discussing a particular subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in diverse contexts, confirming its role as a request or command to halt conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stop talking about" is a direct and frequently used phrase to halt a conversation, as confirmed by Ludwig's extensive examples. While grammatically correct and common in many contexts, it's important to consider the social implications and choose more polite alternatives for formal settings. The phrase functions as an imperative, serving the purpose of expressing discomfort or disinterest in a topic. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and the numerous examples reflect its frequent use in news and media, academic writing, and business communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drop the subject

Informal and direct way to end a conversation.

enough about that

Directly indicates the conversation should end.

cease mentioning

Focuses on stopping the act of bringing something up.

avoid mentioning

Highlights the act of deliberately steering clear of a subject.

refrain from discussing

Highlights the conscious effort to avoid a topic.

discontinue discussing

Formal alternative emphasizing the cessation of discussion.

fall silent on

Indicates a complete cessation of discussion on a topic.

let's not talk about it anymore

Emphasizes a mutual agreement to cease discussion.

change the subject

Shifts the focus to a different topic.

hold your tongue about

Emphasizes restraining oneself from speaking.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "stop talking about" a sensitive topic?

You can use softer phrases like "Could we "change the subject", please?" or "I'd rather not discuss this right now" to avoid being confrontational.

When is it appropriate to use "stop talking about"?

It is appropriate when you need to firmly end a conversation that is making you uncomfortable, is unproductive, or is taking up too much time. However, consider your relationship with the person and the context to avoid causing offense.

What's a more formal alternative to "stop talking about"?

In formal settings, you might say "I'd prefer not to discuss this matter further" or "Let's "move on to" another topic". These phrases are more polite and professional.

Is there a difference between "stop talking about" and "stop speaking about"?

The phrases are very similar. "Stop talking about" is generally more common and informal, while "stop speaking about" can sound slightly more formal, though both convey the same basic request.