they were chatting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were chatting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more people are engaged in conversation, typically in a casual or informal context. Example: "As they waited for the bus, they were chatting about their weekend plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Soon they were chatting online and by telephone.

The New York Times

Recently, he wandered into the library where they were chatting.

The New York Times

They were chatting, and playing dominoes and cards.

The New York Times

They were chatting to a patient when Mr Nunn burst on to the ward.

Independent

My curbside companions looked in her direction; they were chatting, and smiling.

The New York Times

Before long they were chatting about the Albion, and a friendship was established.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

They're chatting.

The New York Times

While they're chatting, Kristine remembers how, back in school, Nora was such a spendthrift.

The New Yorker

At the moment, they're chatting about the local beach resort of Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare Weston-super-Mare

The Guardian - Music

They do not think they are alone, of course; they are chatting or fighting in their virtual worlds.

The Economist

This is going to be a disaster.' But five minutes later they are chatting and best friends".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were chatting" to describe informal conversations between two or more people. It implies a casual and friendly interaction.

Common error

Avoid using "they were chatting" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "they were conversing" or "they were discussing" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were chatting" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating that a group of people were engaged in a casual conversation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they were chatting" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe a casual conversation. Ludwig AI provides many real-world examples, predominantly from News & Media sources. While acceptable in neutral contexts, it may be less suitable for formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "they were discussing" or "they were conversing" might be more appropriate. The phrase effectively conveys a sense of friendly and informal interaction between individuals.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were talking

A more general term for exchanging words or ideas.

they were having a conversation

A more verbose way of saying they were chatting.

they were conversing

Emphasizes a more formal or structured conversation.

they were discussing

Implies a more in-depth or focused conversation.

they had a discussion

Highlights the fact they had some discussion, formal or informal.

they were speaking

Focuses on the act of verbal communication.

they were bantering

Suggests a lighthearted and playful exchange.

they were confabbing

Suggests a private or secret discussion.

they were gossiping

Indicates informal talk about other people's affairs.

they were nattering

Implies continuous and trivial conversation.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "they were chatting"?

You can use alternatives like "they were talking", "they were conversing", or "they were discussing" depending on the context.

Is "they were chatting" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "they were chatting" is generally more appropriate for informal contexts. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "they were discussing" or "they were conferring".

How does "they were chatting" differ from "they were gossiping"?

"They were chatting" implies a general, often friendly conversation. "They were gossiping" suggests the conversation involves sharing private or scandalous information about others.

What's the difference between "they were chatting" and "they were talking"?

"They were talking" is a broader term that encompasses any verbal exchange. "They were chatting" suggests a more relaxed, informal, and friendly conversation.