they talked about

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence “they talked about” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a conversation that two or more people had about any given subject. For example: After the meeting, they talked about the best ways to move forward.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT The election, right?

The New York Times

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT Life, family, food.

The New York Times

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT The eternal question.

The New York Times

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT Their respective businesses.

The New York Times

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT Seattle, coffee, theater.

The New York Times

WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT Ms. Stieglitz's job.

The New York Times

They talked about religion.

The New York Times

They talked about cars.

The New Yorker

They talked about money.

The New Yorker

They talked about ideas.

The New Yorker

They talked about violence.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, consider using alternatives such as "they discussed" or "they conferred about" to add a layer of professionalism to your phrasing.

Common error

While "they talked about" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively without providing context. Be specific about what "they" discussed to provide more clarity and value to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they talked about" functions as a verb phrase indicating a general conversation or discussion between two or more people. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable. For example, "They talked about their hopes."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they talked about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a conversation between two or more people. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability across various contexts. While versatile, it's essential to provide context to avoid vagueness. Consider using alternative phrases like "they discussed" for a more formal tone, or "they chatted about" for a more casual one. Remember to tailor your choice to the specific context and desired level of detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they discussed

This alternative uses a more formal verb to indicate a conversation about a specific topic.

they spoke about

This option is a more general way of saying they had a conversation.

they had a conversation about

This alternative is a more explicit and descriptive way of expressing the idea of a discussion.

they conferred about

This alternative suggests a more formal and deliberate discussion, often involving an exchange of opinions.

they chatted about

This alternative implies a casual and informal conversation.

they addressed the issue of

This implies a more formal and serious discussion about a specific problem or concern.

they exchanged views on

This alternative suggests a discussion where different opinions were shared.

they touched on the subject of

This indicates a brief or superficial discussion about a particular topic.

the topic of their conversation was

This alternative focuses on specifying the subject of their discussion.

they mulled over

This suggests a more reflective and thoughtful discussion about something.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "they discussed", "they conferred about", or "they chatted about" depending on the context.

Is "they talked about" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they talked about" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts.

How can I make my writing more specific when using "they talked about"?

To provide more clarity, follow "they talked about" with specific details regarding the topic of their conversation. For example, "They talked about the upcoming project deadline" is more informative than simply saying "They talked about it".

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

"They discussed" is often perceived as more formal and implies a more structured conversation than "they talked about". The choice depends on the context and the level of formality desired.