talk nonsense

USAGE SUMMARY

"talk nonsense" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to refer to someone saying something that does not make sense. For example: "She kept talking nonsense about aliens coming to Earth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

They talk nonsense.

The New York Times - Books

It's not funny to talk nonsense.

The Guardian

"A lot of them talk nonsense so I might as well do the same," he jokes.

Independent

BOTH sides talk nonsense in public while promising in private to be sensible.

The Economist

10. "If you're going to talk nonsense, I have better things to do".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There are people in your life whose company you just love, with whom you can talk nonsense.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Both were talking nonsense.

The Economist

"He talked nonsense.

The Washington Post

"UOL news talks nonsense.

The Guardian - Sport

"And stop talking nonsense".

The New York Times - Magazine

But he also talked nonsense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to say that someone is not making any sense, "talk nonsense" is often a good choice because is a term easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "talk nonsense" in highly formal or professional settings where more neutral or technical language is expected. Opt for phrases like 'present inaccurate information' or 'lack supporting evidence' instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talk nonsense" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of speaking in a way that lacks sense or coherence. As Ludwig AI explains, it describes speech that is illogical, untrue, or silly. The provided examples illustrate its usage in various contexts to express disagreement or disbelief.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talk nonsense" is a commonly used, grammatically correct phrase that describes speaking in a way that lacks sense or logic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in informal contexts, although it appears in news and media as well. While acceptable in many situations, it should be avoided in highly formal or professional settings. Consider related alternatives like "spout rubbish" or "utter gibberish" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Remember that its register is informal, and is generally well understood. Ludwig examples confirms its usability in many contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spout rubbish

Replaces 'talk' with 'spout' and 'nonsense' with 'rubbish', implying a forceful and negative delivery of foolish content.

utter gibberish

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and critical description of nonsensical speech.

speak foolishly

Emphasizes the lack of wisdom in the speech, using a more direct and judgmental tone.

drivel on

Indicates a tedious and nonsensical continuation of speech, often boring or annoying to the listener.

rave incoherently

Suggests a wild and incomprehensible manner of speaking, often associated with emotional distress or mental instability.

babble meaninglessly

Focuses on the lack of purpose and clarity in the speech, suggesting a stream of disconnected words.

blather away

Implies excessive and pointless talking, often without regard for the listener's interest or understanding.

pontificate absurdly

Describes someone speaking with unwarranted authority about something ridiculous.

ramble aimlessly

Focuses on the disjointed and undirected nature of the speech.

bandy foolish words

Indicates a casual and careless exchange of silly or nonsensical words.

FAQs

What does it mean to "talk nonsense"?

To "talk nonsense" means to say things that are silly, untrue, or don't make sense. It often implies a lack of seriousness or understanding.

What can I say instead of "talk nonsense"?

You can use alternatives like "spout rubbish", "utter gibberish", or "speak foolishly" depending on the context.

Is "talk nonsense" formal or informal?

"Talk nonsense" is generally considered informal. It's suitable for casual conversations and writing, but not ideal for formal or professional settings.

How to use "talk nonsense" in a sentence?

You can use "talk nonsense" in a sentence like: "He started to talk nonsense after staying up all night" or "The report is talking nonsense, it doesn't show valid results".