talking at length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talking at length" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone who is speaking for an extended period, often in detail or elaboration on a topic. Example: "During the meeting, she was talking at length about the new marketing strategy and its potential impact on sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eric Rohmer's films aren't just people talking at length on earnest subjects.

The New Yorker

They both enjoy spending time with elderly relatives, and talking at length about God.

The New York Times - Style

He was much more interested in talking at length about two of rugby's modern greats.

Independent

Nor does it prevent him from talking at length about his 50-year career, and the events that shaped it.

The Guardian - Music

If, however, your interviewee is talking at length about something you know isn't relevant, you need to steer them back.

The Guardian

In the end, he turned to "Eyes Wide Shut," but not before talking at length to Spielberg about "A.I".

The New Yorker

She remembered Mr. Hagen, her English teacher, talking at length about that Vonnegut line in high school.

The New Yorker

She added, "This is a man who is used to talking at length and to having people listen.

The New Yorker

After talking at length with Di Canio, despite his professionalism and football expertise, together we decided to suspend his collaboration".

The Guardian - Sport

Cage and Feldman, overwhelmed by the piece, left at intermission, wound up talking at length and became great friends.

The New York Times - Arts

Our friend Todd Wiener remembers having a beer with Al in the Village one night and talking at length about tires.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talking at length" to describe situations where someone provides a detailed and extended explanation or commentary on a topic. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially when you want to emphasize the duration and depth of the conversation.

Common error

Be mindful of using redundant phrases alongside "talking at length". For example, avoid saying "talking at length in detail" as it repeats the idea of thoroughness already implied in the original phrase. Choose precise and concise language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talking at length" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase, often used to describe an ongoing action or state. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, providing information about how someone is communicating, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talking at length" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes someone speaking extensively about a topic. According to Ludwig, it is deemed correct and highly usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "speaking extensively" or "discussing in detail" exist, "talking at length" effectively conveys thoroughness and duration in communication. It is crucial to avoid redundancy and ensure concise language when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking extensively

Focuses on the act of speaking for a considerable duration, emphasizing the speaker's contribution.

discussing in detail

Highlights the thoroughness of the discussion, emphasizing the level of depth and specificity.

elaborating at length

Stresses the expansion of ideas with further detail, implying a more formal setting.

expounding on

Suggests a formal and authoritative explanation of a topic.

going on about

Indicates a somewhat negative connotation, implying excessive and potentially tedious talking.

holding forth

Conveys a sense of lecturing or delivering a lengthy, uninterrupted speech.

dwelling on

Implies focusing on a topic repetitively, often with a negative emotional tone.

waxing lyrical

Suggests speaking passionately and enthusiastically about a topic.

running on

Informal way of describing someone who's talking continuously, maybe about something unimportant.

pontificating about

Suggests speaking in a dogmatic or opinionated manner, often implying arrogance.

FAQs

How can I use "talking at length" in a sentence?

You can use "talking at length" to describe someone who is speaking extensively about a particular subject. For example: "She was "talking at length" about her travel experiences."

What can I say instead of "talking at length"?

Alternatives include "speaking extensively", "discussing in detail", or "elaborating at length", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is "talking at length about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "talking at length about" is grammatically correct. It indicates that someone is speaking extensively on a particular subject. For example: "He was "talking at length about" the company's new initiatives."

What's the difference between "talking at length" and "speaking briefly"?

"Talking at length" implies a long and detailed discussion, while "speaking briefly" indicates a short and concise statement. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of communication duration.