talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "talking" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a gerund, which is a verb form that acts as a noun. For example, you can use it in a sentence like: "We had a great time talking about our shared interests."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm talking about Penn Station.

The New York Times

He's done crucial research on language acquisition, and he offers an admirable account of syntax in his book, but it is unclear what he's talking about here.

The Economist

[Via Talking Points Memo].

The New York Times

Though each of them had a very distinct reaction to the challenges of making art that seemed honest and relevant to the present moment, it was also true that in talking to the four of them separately, common themes emerged.

The Guardian

Ramirez was a passenger in a car that had stopped, and Morrison was talking with the occupants, police said.

The Guardian

Talking to the Observer is clearly something of a trial for Musharaf, who has asked Burton to be in the room during the interview.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The prime minister's spokeswoman said: "The PM's view is clear that we have to keep talking and working with the agencies on what they need to keep us safe.

The Guardian

When it comes to living arrangements, everyone has different preferences so it's worth talking with your son or daughter about what's important to them.

The Guardian

Clarke said: "The first priority of any British government is to provide for the security of the citizens of the country, and at the moment in the criminal field all the major activity is international, whether you're talking about international people trafficking, drug dealing, whether you're talking about illegal migration or whether you're talking about counter-terrorism.

The Guardian

"There's a fear among them that this is a zero-sum game; that there's a pre-defined cake and if you start talking about men, you're going to somehow eat a chunk of this cake that's taken them a long time to bake".

The Guardian

"We're talking about an issue which really clears up the historical record," Leigh said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "talking", consider the context to choose more specific synonyms like "discussing" or "chatting" for greater precision.

Common error

Avoid using "talking" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like "discussing" or "articulating" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "talking" is as a present participle or a gerund. As a present participle, it forms continuous verb tenses. As a gerund, it functions as a noun. Ludwig examples show its versatile usage in various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "talking" is a very common and grammatically sound verb form that functions as either a present participle or a gerund. Primarily found in News & Media, its register is typically neutral to informal, as noted by Ludwig. While suitable for general communication, writers should consider context-specific synonyms like "discussing" or "chatting" for enhanced precision. As Ludwig AI confirms, "talking" is indeed correct and versatile in various sentence structures, offering a reliable means to convey information or engage in conversation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking

Focuses more on the act of uttering words, less on the exchange.

discussing

Emphasizes a more formal or structured conversation.

conversing

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the exchange.

chatting

Suggests a more informal and casual exchange.

communicating

Broad term encompassing verbal and non-verbal methods.

having a conversation

More verbose, emphasizing the event of a dialogue.

in discussion

Highlights the state of engaging in discussion.

addressing

Implies speaking directly to a specific issue or person.

verbalizing

Focuses on expressing thoughts or feelings in words.

articulating

Highlights clarity and precision in expressing oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "talking" in a sentence?

You can use "talking" as a verb in various tenses, for example, "I am talking to you", or as a gerund, "Talking helps to resolve conflicts".

What's the difference between "talking" and "discussing"?

"Talking" is a general term for communication, while "discussing" implies a more structured and in-depth conversation.

What are some alternatives to "talking"?

Alternatives to "talking" include "speaking", "conversing", and "chatting", each carrying slightly different connotations.

When should I use "talking" vs. "communicating"?

Use "talking" when referring specifically to verbal exchange. "Communicating" is more appropriate when referring to any means of conveying information, including non-verbal methods.