talking to her

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talking to her" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to describe the act of conversing with a female person. Example: "I was talking to her about the project." Alternative expressions include "speaking with her" and "chatting with her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There's no use talking to her.

The New Yorker

Is she talking to her lover?

The New Yorker

She was talking to her lawyer.

The New Yorker

She could be talking to her twin.

The New York Times

He spent an hour talking to her.

The New York Times

Most stopped talking to her.

The Guardian

Just because I was talking to her!

The Guardian

She was talking to her husband.

The New Yorker

But I will keep talking to her".

The New York Times

I'm talking to her bass player.

The Guardian - Music

He was talking to her in Hebrew.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing dialogue, using "talking to her" can clearly indicate who is being addressed, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "talking to her" in constructions that obscure the subject performing the action. For example, instead of "She was being talked to by him", prefer "He was talking to her".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talking to her" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It can serve as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig's examples show its versatility in various grammatical roles, reinforcing its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

22%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "talking to her" is a grammatically correct and common gerund phrase used to describe the act of conversing with a female. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, the specific context dictates the overall formality. For alternative expressions, consider "speaking with her" or "chatting with her". It's important to avoid passive voice constructions when using this phrase to maintain clarity in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

speaking with her

Replaces "talking" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the act of vocal communication.

having a conversation with her

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the act of having a conversation.

chatting with her

Suggests a more casual and informal conversation.

in conversation with her

Highlights the state of being engaged in conversation.

conversing with her

Implies a deeper, more meaningful exchange.

discussing with her

Indicates a focused conversation about a specific topic.

communicating with her

A broader term encompassing any form of exchange, not just verbal.

addressing her

Suggests a more formal or direct approach in speaking to someone.

exchanging words with her

Emphasizes the reciprocal nature of the conversation.

consulting with her

Implies seeking her advice or opinion.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "talking to her"?

You can use alternatives like "speaking with her", "chatting with her", or "conversing with her" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "talking to her"?

Yes, "talking to her" is grammatically correct. It's a gerund phrase that can function as a noun in a sentence. For instance, in the sentence "Talking to her was calming to my nerves", it serves as the subject.

How to use "talking to her" in a sentence?

You can use "talking to her" as a noun, verb or part of a longer phrase in various ways. Examples: "I remember "talking to her" for hours", or "Talking to her made me feel better".

What's the difference between "talking to her" and "talking with her"?

While both phrases are generally interchangeable, "talking with her" may suggest a more reciprocal conversation. "Talking to her" can imply a one-way communication, though context usually clarifies the intention.