talks of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "talks of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone speaking about a particular subject. For example, "She often talks of her travels around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Money talks, of course.

The New York Times

Bavaria talks of self-sufficiency.

The Economist

It talks of salary caps.

The Economist

She talks of a gradual change.

The New York Times - Arts

Microsoft's Bill Gates talks of "seamless computing".

The Economist

His government talks of private-finance initiatives.

The Economist

Mr Najib talks of "massive changes".

The Economist

He talks of her "Calvinist sobriety".

The New Yorker

Instead the manifesto talks of "smarter controls".

The Guardian

She talks of a future "political union".

The Economist

"He talks of good education, modern education.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "talks of" when you want to convey that someone is mentioning or discussing a topic, often in a less formal or in-depth manner than "discusses" or "analyzes".

Common error

While "talks of" is acceptable, reserve it for neutral or informal writing. In formal reports or academic papers, stronger verbs such as "discusses", "analyzes", or "mentions" might be more appropriate to convey authority and precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "talks of" functions as a verb phrase + preposition, indicating that someone is mentioning or discussing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It denotes a discussion or mention of a subject, as shown in examples like "She "talks of" a gradual change."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "talks of" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the act of mentioning or discussing a particular topic. Ludwig AI validates its usage in written English. While generally neutral in tone, it's more suited for informal or general contexts. Alternatives like "discusses" or "mentions" may be more appropriate for formal writing. "Talks of" appears most commonly in News & Media sources, followed by Science, indicating its broad applicability. Understanding its nuanced usage, as highlighted by Ludwig, can enhance the clarity and appropriateness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mentions

Simple verb replacing the phrasal verb; direct and concise.

discusses

Implies a more in-depth conversation or analysis.

refers to

Highlights the act of directing attention to something specific.

speaks about

Offers a more conversational tone; less formal than "discusses".

touches on

Indicates a brief or cursory mention of a topic.

alludes to

Suggests an indirect or subtle reference.

comments on

Highlights the expression of an opinion or reaction.

addresses

Suggests a formal or direct handling of a subject.

writes about

Emphasizes a written form of communication.

indicates

Suggests an indirect communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "talks of" to describe someone mentioning or discussing a topic. For instance, "The article "talks of" potential solutions to climate change".

What are some alternatives to "talks of"?

Alternatives include "mentions", "discusses", or "refers to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "talks of" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "talks of" is generally more suitable for neutral or informal writing. In formal contexts, consider using stronger verbs such as "analyzes" or "examines".

What's the difference between "talks of" and "discusses"?

"Talks of" implies a less formal or in-depth discussion, while "discusses" suggests a more thorough examination of a topic. The choice depends on the context and the level of detail being conveyed.