they were talking

USAGE SUMMARY

'they were talking' is a perfectly acceptable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a conversation that is happening or has happened in the past. For example, "John and Mary were talking about their plans for the weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They were talking about integers.

The New York Times

"They were talking amongst themselves.

The New York Times

They were talking about affinage.

The New York Times - Food

"They were talking years.

The New Yorker

They were talking salary.

The New York Times - Food

They were talking shite, enjoying themselves.

The New Yorker

I mean, they were talking to Hitler".

Independent

Today, they were talking about Machiavelli.

The New Yorker

He felt they were talking in circles.

The New Yorker

They were talking to me in Arabic.

The New York Times

They were talking to each other.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were talking" to describe an ongoing conversation or interaction in the past. It effectively sets the scene and introduces dialogue or discussion.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses unnecessarily when using "they were talking". Ensure that the surrounding sentences maintain a consistent past tense for clarity and coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were talking" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. As shown in Ludwig, it describes an ongoing action or conversation that occurred in the past. Ludwig AI states that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they were talking" is a very common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an ongoing conversation in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media, it functions to set the stage for a narrative, providing context to what was being discussed. While versatile, it's crucial to maintain tense consistency in surrounding sentences. Alternatives such as "they were discussing" or "they were conversing" can be employed for variety, depending on the nuance you wish to convey. As seen from Ludwig's examples, the phrase serves as a simple yet effective way to depict past interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were discussing

This alternative suggests a more formal or structured conversation.

they were conversing

This implies a two-way exchange of ideas or information.

they were in conversation

This alternative uses a slightly more formal structure to describe the act of talking.

they were chatting

This suggests a more informal and casual conversation.

they had a discussion

This shifts the focus to the discussion itself rather than the act of talking.

they were speaking

This is a more general term that simply indicates the act of talking.

they engaged in conversation

A more formal way of saying they were talking, highlighting active participation.

they were communicating

This emphasizes the exchange of information rather than the specific act of talking.

they held a conversation

This suggests a more deliberate and perhaps planned conversation.

they exchanged words

This emphasizes the verbal exchange between the individuals.

FAQs

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

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

How do I use "they were talking" in a sentence?

Use "they were talking" to describe a conversation that was in progress at a specific time in the past. For example, "They were talking about the upcoming election when I walked into the room."

Is "they were talking" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they were talking" is grammatically correct. It uses the past continuous tense, which is appropriate for describing ongoing actions in the past.

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

"They were talking" implies a continuous action in the past, while "they talked" suggests a completed action. "They were talking" focuses on the process of the conversation, whereas "they talked" simply states that a conversation occurred.