they talked about it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they talked about it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a discussion or conversation that took place regarding a specific topic or issue. Example: "During the meeting, they talked about it extensively, sharing their thoughts and opinions on the matter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

They talked about it.

The New Yorker

They talked about it for hours.

The Guardian - Film

They talked about it last year.

The Guardian - Sport

They talked about it like it was the second coming.

Independent

But mostly, they talked about it in oblique terms.

The Guardian - Books

Over the years, she said, they talked about it, but she didn't feel qualified.

The New York Times

When Tim started eating crayons, they talked about it as if he'd discovered penicillin.

The New York Times

It wasn't a particularly coherent discussion, to be sure, but, at least, they talked about it.

The New Yorker

She read some poly literature and they talked about it a lot.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They talked about it for weeks, until the day when they suddenly stopped.

The New York Times - Tech

"They talked about it being an old injury," Girardi said, "and for whatever reason it reared its ugly head.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they talked about it" when you want to indicate a general discussion without specifying the depth or formality of the conversation. It is suitable for a wide range of contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "they talked about it" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language like "they discussed it" or "they analyzed it" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they talked about it" functions as a general indicator of discussion. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by numerous examples, confirms its broad applicability in various contexts. It signifies that a conversation or exchange of ideas occurred regarding a particular subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they talked about it" is a versatile and common phrase used to indicate that a discussion occurred. As Ludwig AI confirms, while grammatically sound and widely used, it's crucial to consider the context. For more formal settings, alternatives like "they discussed it" or "they analyzed it" are advisable. The phrase's neutral register and high frequency across various sources make it a reliable choice for general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they discussed it

Replaces "talked" with "discussed", implying a more formal or in-depth conversation.

they spoke about it

Uses "spoke" instead of "talked", offering a slightly more formal tone.

they had a conversation about it

Expands the phrase to explicitly mention a "conversation", emphasizing the interactive nature.

they conferred about it

Substitutes "talked" with "conferred", suggesting a more deliberative and formal exchange.

they communicated about it

Replaces "talked" with "communicated", focusing on the broader act of exchanging information.

they addressed it

Replaces "talked about it" with "addressed it", shifting the focus to tackling or dealing with the subject.

they exchanged views on it

Highlights the sharing of different perspectives on the subject.

they commented on it

Changes the focus to offering opinions or remarks on the subject.

they went over it

Suggests a review or examination of the subject.

they touched on it

Implies a brief or cursory discussion of the topic.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "they talked about it"?

For more formal situations, you could use phrases like "they discussed it", "they analyzed it", or "they conferred about it" to convey a higher level of formality and depth.

Is "they talked about it" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "they talked about it" might be too informal for strict academic writing. Consider alternatives like "they examined it" or "they investigated it" for a more scholarly tone.

What does "they talked about it" imply about the discussion's depth?

"They talked about it" generally implies a discussion occurred, but it doesn't specify the depth or intensity. For a more detailed discussion, consider phrases like "they deliberated on it" or "they debated it".

In what contexts is "they talked about it" most appropriate?

"They talked about it" is versatile and suitable for many contexts, particularly in general conversations, news reports, and informal writing. However, more specific verbs might be better in technical or formal contexts.