talks are underway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talks are underway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that discussions or negotiations are currently in progress. Example: "The two companies have confirmed that talks are underway to explore a potential merger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Talks are underway for Lewis to meet Lou Savarese on Dec. 12.

The New York Times - Sports

Talks are underway about a similar program at the VA West Los Angeles Medical Center.

The Washington Post

Talks are underway on what kind of statement can be issued to calm market fears over eurozone debt.

The New York Times

Talks are underway to secure more funding for the company behind the product, of which she is the majority owner.

The Guardian - Business

Emergency talks are underway between Prime Minister David Cameron and security officials to determine the country's response to the suspected terror attack in Ottawa, Canada.

Independent

She performed "Breathe" at Hugh Hefner's mansion a few months ago, and talks are underway for a Playboy shoot, reportedly for a million dollars.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Although Starbucks has declined to comment, a source confirmed to Reuters that talks were underway.

Independent

Mr. Samore helped establish the organization in 2008, well before serious nuclear talks were underway.

The New York Times

IT SEEMS appropriate that the latest attempt to revive the Doha round of global trade talks is underway in Delhi.

The Economist

Mr. Kim also promised to suspend all nuclear and missile tests while talks were underway, the envoys said.

The New York Times

Mr. Kim also said he would suspend all nuclear and missile tests while such talks were underway, they said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talks are underway" to convey that negotiations or discussions are currently in progress, especially when referring to formal or official contexts. This phrase indicates an active process rather than a completed agreement.

Common error

While grammatically sound, overuse of passive constructions like "talks are being held" can weaken your writing. Opt for more direct and active phrasing when appropriate, like "the parties are discussing".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talks are underway" functions as a statement indicating that discussions or negotiations are currently in progress. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It often serves to inform about ongoing processes in various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "talks are underway" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that discussions or negotiations are currently in progress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is prevalent in news and media, formal business contexts, and academic settings. While maintaining a neutral to professional register, it effectively conveys information about ongoing processes. For alternative phrasing, consider options such as "discussions are in progress" or "negotiations are ongoing", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussions are in progress

Replaces "talks" with "discussions", emphasizing a more general exchange of ideas.

negotiations are ongoing

Substitutes "talks" with "negotiations", highlighting a formal bargaining process.

deliberations are in progress

Uses "deliberations" instead of "talks", suggesting a more thoughtful and careful consideration.

consultations are happening

Replaces "talks" with "consultations", implying a focus on seeking advice and opinions.

dialogue is being conducted

Employs "dialogue" instead of "talks", emphasizing a two-way communication.

meetings are being held

Focuses on the physical act of "meetings" taking place, rather than the content of the discussions.

conversations are taking place

Uses "conversations" to denote a more informal exchange than formal talks.

matters are under discussion

Shifts the focus to the "matters" being discussed rather than the act of talking.

the parties are in conference

A more formal and slightly archaic way of saying that parties are engaged in discussions.

engagement is in progress

Uses a broader term, "engagement", to describe ongoing interactions and discussions.

FAQs

What does "talks are underway" mean?

The phrase "talks are underway" means that discussions or negotiations are currently in progress. It's often used in formal contexts such as politics or business.

What can I say instead of "talks are underway"?

You can use alternatives like "discussions are in progress", "negotiations are ongoing", or "meetings are being held depending on the specific context.

Is it "talks are underway" or "talks is underway"?

"Talks are underway" is correct. "Talks" is plural, so it requires the plural verb "are".

Can "talks are underway" be used in informal settings?

While primarily used in formal contexts, "talks are underway" can be used in informal settings to indicate that discussions are happening, although alternatives like "we're talking" might be more appropriate.