talks about

USAGE SUMMARY

'talks about' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a conversation or discussion about a particular topic. For example, "This article talks about the importance of recycling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He talks about it.

The New Yorker

Talks about counterforce.

The New Yorker

Talks about Tilden.

The New Yorker

Boris talks about politics.

Independent

"Nobody talks about them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He talks about Detroit.

The New York Times

He talks about "Seeds".

The New Yorker

Leonard talks about California.

The New Yorker

He talks about hunting.

The Economist

Balanchine talks about some….

The New Yorker

It's what everyone talks about.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talks about" in general conversational contexts when describing what someone is discussing. For more formal settings, consider synonyms like "discusses" or "addresses".

Common error

Avoid using "talks about" excessively in formal documents or academic papers. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "addresses", "examines", or "analyzes" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talks about" functions as a verb phrase indicating the subject matter of a conversation, discussion, or written piece. It is used to describe what someone is discussing, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "talks about" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the subject matter of a conversation or written piece. According to Ludwig, this phrase is versatile and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's generally acceptable, using more formal alternatives like "discusses" or "addresses" might be more suitable in formal or academic writing. Be mindful of overusing "talks about" and vary your vocabulary to maintain a professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conversations about

Highlights the exchange of ideas and perspectives.

discusses

Focuses on a more formal or structured conversation.

elaborates on

Focuses on providing more details and expanding on a specific topic.

comments on

Implies expressing an opinion or reaction to a topic.

mentions

Implies a brief or passing reference to a topic.

speaks of

Has a more literary or formal tone compared to "talks about".

addresses

Suggests dealing with or focusing on a specific issue or subject.

details

Focuses on providing a complete and precise description of something.

covers

Implies dealing with multiple aspects of a topic.

touches on

Indicates a brief or indirect examination of a subject.

FAQs

How can I use "talks about" in a sentence?

You can use "talks about" to describe the subject of a conversation or a piece of writing. For instance, "The article "talks about" the impact of climate change" or "He "talks about" his experiences during the war".

What are some alternatives to "talks about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "discusses", "mentions", "addresses", or "covers".

Is it correct to say "talks about" or should I use a different preposition?

"Talks about" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It is the standard way to express that someone is discussing a particular topic. Other prepositions are generally not appropriate in this context.

What's the difference between "talks about" and "speaks about"?

While both phrases are similar, "speaks about" tends to be more formal and literary. "Talks about" is more commonly used in everyday conversation, whereas "speaks about" might be preferred in more formal or written contexts.