they chatted about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they chatted about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a conversation or discussion between people regarding a specific topic or subject. Example: "After dinner, they chatted about their plans for the weekend and shared stories from their childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They chatted about football.

Independent

They chatted about the Yankees.

The New York Times

They chatted about the usual, the football and that.

The New Yorker

They chatted about clothes and hugged when we left.

The New York Times

They chatted about food and boasted about grandchildren.

The New York Times

They chatted about dilemmas of education reform and the malarial parasite.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

If this was the luncheon discussion at Pond's, what would they chat about at happy hour?

The New York Times - Magazine

And what they chat about is beginning to cause a quiet terror in Madrid, and in Brussels.

BBC

They chat about tea cups.

The New York Times - Books

They chat about assimilation and the differences between their generations.

The New Yorker

As they dig in, they chat about an event the night before.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they chatted about" to indicate a light and informal conversation. It's suitable for scenarios where the focus is on casual exchange rather than a formal discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "they chatted about" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "they discussed" or "they spoke of" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they chatted about" functions as a clause element, typically the main verb phrase, indicating an action performed by a subject. Ludwig AI shows that it describes a casual conversation or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they chatted about" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe an informal conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for casual settings, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "they discussed" or "they spoke of" in academic or professional writing. This phrase conveys a light-hearted exchange of ideas, and its frequency in reputable news sources underscores its acceptance in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they talked of

Focuses on the subject of conversation, similar to 'chatted about'.

they spoke of

Implies a slightly more formal discussion compared to 'chatted'.

they discussed

Suggests a more in-depth conversation or deliberation.

they conversed on

More formal and emphasizes a structured exchange of ideas.

they had a conversation about

A more descriptive and explicit way to express the same idea.

they exchanged words about

Highlights the act of exchanging information or opinions.

they touched on the subject of

Suggests a brief or light discussion of a topic.

they passed the time talking about

Emphasizes the casual and leisurely aspect of the conversation.

their conversation revolved around

Indicates that the discussion primarily focused on a specific topic.

they shared thoughts on

Focuses on the sharing of opinions or ideas regarding a topic.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they chatted about"?

You can use alternatives like "they discussed", "they talked about", or "they spoke of" depending on the context.

Is "they chatted about" too informal for academic writing?

Yes, "they chatted about" is generally considered too informal for academic writing. Use more formal alternatives such as "they discussed" or "they analyzed" to maintain a professional tone.

How to use "they chatted about" in a sentence?

You can use "they chatted about" to describe a casual conversation. For example, "During the break, they chatted about their weekend plans".

What's the difference between "they chatted about" and "they discussed"?

"They chatted about" implies a light and informal conversation, while "they discussed" suggests a more in-depth and serious conversation.