there were talks

USAGE SUMMARY

"there were talks" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used when referring to discussions or negotiations that have taken place in the past. Example: There were talks between the two leaders, but they were unable to come to an agreement on the issue. Another example: The company announced that there were talks with potential buyers, but no deal has been made yet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Jimmy Carter's administration almost came to a deal with the Soviet Union to curb sales to regions of conflict, and after the first Gulf War there were talks among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council about limiting arms sales to the Middle East and other regions of concern.

Huffington Post

There were talks of olive branches being extended.

The New York Times

There were talks lasting hours, in which John took part.

The New York Times

In 2009, there were talks of a third opus in the Ghostbusters franchise.

Independent

There were talks a couple years ago about a Band-Aid, and that was that.

The New York Times - Sports

Houllier said: "I know at some stage there were talks with West Brom.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Within developed nations there was talk of a New Public Health[ 4].

Globalization and Health

"There are talks; there is contact," the Bertelsmann executive said.

The New York Times

I know there's talks going on".

The New York Times - Sports

But there are talks about trading prisoners.

The Guardian

"There are talks of compliance schedules several decades long.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there were talks", ensure the context clearly indicates what was discussed and who was involved to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "there were talks" without specifying the subject of the talks. Be specific about what was discussed to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there were talks" functions as an existential construction indicating that discussions or negotiations took place. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which shows numerous examples in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there were talks" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate that discussions or negotiations have taken place. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's primarily found in neutral contexts such as news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the subject of the talks is clear to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "discussions took place" or "negotiations occurred" can be used to add nuance or formality depending on the situation. The high frequency and consistent usage across reputable sources make this a reliable phrase for conveying information about past discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discussions took place

Replaces "talks" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the act of discussing.

negotiations occurred

Emphasizes the formal, deal-making aspect of the discussions.

meetings were held

Focuses on the structured gathering aspect of the talks.

conversations happened

A more general term, suitable for informal contexts.

deliberations ensued

Highlights the thoughtful and careful consideration involved.

consultations transpired

Emphasizes seeking advice or opinions during the discussions.

exchanges were conducted

Focuses on the reciprocal sharing of information or ideas.

dialogue unfolded

Suggests a progressive and evolving nature of the conversations.

communications were exchanged

Highlights the act of sharing information between parties.

voices were heard

Emphasizes the expression of opinions and perspectives.

FAQs

How can I use "there were talks" in a sentence?

You can use "there were talks" to indicate that discussions or negotiations occurred, as in "There were talks between the company and the union regarding the new contract."

What are some alternatives to "there were talks"?

Alternatives include "discussions took place", "negotiations occurred", or "meetings were held", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "there was talks" instead of "there were talks"?

No, "there was talks" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "there were talks" because "talks" is plural, requiring the plural verb "were".

What's the difference between "there were talks" and "talks were held"?

"There were talks" is a more general statement indicating discussions occurred. "Talks were held" implies a more formal or organized setting for those discussions.