they were conversing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were conversing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more people are engaged in a conversation. Example: "As they walked through the park, they were conversing about their plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Not only did they move, but they were conversing in clear small voices.

The New York Times - Books

I am not a Spanish speaker, so I had no idea what they were conversing so actively about.

The New York Times

Whenever they meet on the show, their exchanges are vagrant, ethereal, unhurried, as if they were conversing in a limbo borrowed from a play by Samuel Beckett.

The New Yorker

They were conversing loudly about the passing scenery, slipping seamlessly between snippy and loving, like Hepburn and Fonda in "On Golden Pond".

The New York Times - Travel

As if they were conversing in a secret sign language, Ms. Berkley responded by executing the same frenetic dance move and shouted, "There you go, baby!" Mr. Silas's "Showgirls" reference could have been received as a stinging reminder of a career low point.

The New York Times - Arts

Same through with the supposedly title track "Confessions Part II"; they were conversing about an impregnated mistress, and its concept was written down.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"They become very animated," Mr. Au said, "as if they're conversing, leaning, dancing".

The New York Times

In many respects the bomba is similar to the Cuban columbia, except that the bomba is danced by both men and women, and dancers face the subidor with which they are conversing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In conversational laughter, people co-ordinate their speech and their laughter very tightly – for example, people consistently laugh at the end of sentences, even if they are conversing in sign language (where they could, in theory, be laughing the whole time).

The Guardian

Evidently, the question of the identity of a non-embodied subject makes sense to some: those who consult spiritualist mediums certainly understand the question, whether they're conversing with dear departed Aunt Susie, or merely with a manipulative practitioner.

SEP

When they offer you the drink, don't act happy for the sake of the drink, act happy that they're conversing with you!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were conversing" to describe a deliberate exchange of ideas or information between two or more people. It suggests a more thoughtful interaction than simply "talking."

Common error

Avoid using "they were conversing" in highly informal settings. Opt for "they were chatting" or "they were talking" for casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were conversing" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, indicating an action performed by a group of people. Ludwig provides examples from diverse sources, demonstrating its common usage in describing interactions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were conversing" is a grammatically correct and relatively common verb phrase used to describe an exchange between two or more people. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media, wiki, and science, with a neutral to formal register. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality required in your writing and choose more casual alternatives like "they were talking" or "they were chatting" when appropriate. Ludwig's examples and related phrases provide useful insights for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were in conversation

Emphasizes the state of being engaged in a conversation.

they were having a discussion

Highlights a more formal or structured exchange of ideas.

they were chatting

Suggests a more casual and informal conversation.

they were talking

A general term for exchanging words, lacking the nuance of 'conversing'.

they were exchanging words

Focuses on the act of giving and receiving information.

they were communicating

Broader term encompassing various forms of conveying information.

they were speaking to each other

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the interaction.

they were holding a dialogue

Implies a more structured and potentially meaningful exchange.

they were engaged in discourse

Suggests a more formal and intellectual exchange.

they were having a confab

Indicates a private and informal discussion or meeting.

FAQs

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

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

How to use "they were conversing" in a sentence?

Use "they were conversing" to describe a situation where individuals are engaged in a meaningful exchange. For instance: "As they walked, they were conversing about their future plans."

Is "they were conversing" formal or informal?

"They were conversing" is generally considered more formal than "they were talking" or "they were chatting". Choose the word that matches the overall tone of your writing.

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

"They were conversing" implies a more thoughtful and deliberate exchange of ideas, while "they were talking" is a more general term for any kind of verbal exchange.