sweet talking

USAGE SUMMARY

"sweet talking" can be used in written English.
It is a colloquial phrase meaning to speak in a charming or persuasive manner in order to get what you want. You can use it whenever you want to describe someone using flattering or manipulative language to persuade or charm others. Example: Sally knew she had to sweet talk her boss if she wanted to get the day off work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He made an art of sweet talking the old bulls who ruled the Senate gerontocracy.

The New York Times - Books

"Sweet talking is easy," Mr. Aboul Fotouh said, charging that the least Mr. Moussa could have done is resign.

The New York Times

GETTING IN Always good to have women in the party, and some confidence and sweet talking with the doormen.

The New York Times

There's no sweet talking out of this jam.

Huffington Post

He was sweet talking to it, "O you're such a sweet little hamster, sweetest little hamster in the world".

Vice

Sweet talking.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Morgan claims that he securedthe interview himself after sweet-talking her closest friend.

Independent

I leave him to the press junket – swearing like a trooper, charming the journalists, sweet-talking the staff.

The Guardian - Film

There are also hard-fought discounts — finding an online coupon, negotiating a better price, sweet-talking your way to an upgrade.

The New York Times

But they find ways to get more: hunkering down with the videos Josie takes on her camera, sweet-talking the grandparents and so on.

The New York Times - Magazine

At the Green Line stop, the Missile exuded justified confidence, especially given recent victories, like sweet-talking a somewhat wimpy City Council to pass his budget unanimously.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, use "sweet talking" to illustrate character traits, such as cunning, charm, or even insincerity, to add depth to the narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "sweet talking" in highly formal writing. While grammatically correct, it has a colloquial tone that may not be appropriate for academic or business documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sweet talking" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of using charming and persuasive language, frequently with an underlying motive. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sweet talking" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe charming and persuasive communication, often with manipulative undertones. Ludwig AI identifies it as most common in News & Media and Wiki contexts, with a tendency towards informal usage. While acceptable, it's crucial to consider the context, avoiding it in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "persuasive speaking" or "charming conversation" for more neutral tones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persuading with charm

Explicitly combines persuasion with charm, but is more descriptive than the concise "sweet talking".

smooth talking

This suggests a fluent and effortless style of speaking, similar to "sweet talking" but slightly less focused on charm.

winning over with words

This focuses on the outcome of convincing someone, rather than the charming manner of communication.

persuasive speaking

This alternative focuses on the act of convincing someone through speech, omitting the charming aspect.

honeyed words

This emphasizes the pleasant and enticing quality of the words used, often implying insincerity.

charming conversation

This highlights the pleasant and engaging nature of the interaction, possibly lacking the intention to manipulate or persuade.

silver-tongued

This is a more literary and somewhat archaic term for eloquent and persuasive speech.

flattering speech

Focuses on the use of compliments, potentially lacking the broader scope of persuasion.

coaxing

Implies gentle and persistent persuasion, potentially lacking the element of charm or flattery.

using flattery

This alternative directly points to the use of compliments to ingratiate oneself, removing the broader sense of charming persuasion.

FAQs

How can I use "sweet talking" in a sentence?

You can use "sweet talking" to describe someone who is using charm and flattery to persuade others. For example: "She had to "sweet talk" the manager to get a discount."

What are some synonyms for "sweet talking"?

Alternatives to "sweet talking" include "smooth talking", "persuasive speaking", or "charming conversation". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "sweet talking" considered formal or informal language?

"Sweet talking" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more neutral terms like "persuasion" or "negotiation".

What's the difference between "sweet talking" and "flattering speech"?

"Sweet talking" implies a broader range of charming and persuasive tactics, while "flattering speech" specifically refers to the use of compliments.