to talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to talk" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of speaking or communicating verbally with someone. Example: "I would like to talk about our plans for the upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Erkelens wanted to talk.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's good to talk.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to talk".

The New York Times

People love to talk.

The New York Times

I need to talk".

The New Yorker

We start to talk.

The New York Times

Everyone wanted to talk.

The New Yorker

"Time to talk".

The New Yorker

To talk about politics.

The New Yorker

We had to talk".

Independent

We like to talk".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to talk" when you want to describe the act of communicating verbally. For example, "It's important to talk about your feelings".

Common error

Avoid using "talking" as a direct substitute for "discussion" or "conversation" when "to talk" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying, "The talking needs to happen soon", use "We need to talk soon".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to talk" functions as an infinitive, often serving as a verb complement or expressing purpose. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in expressing desires or needs, such as "I need to talk" or intentions, like "It's good to talk". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

24%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to talk" is a versatile and grammatically correct infinitive that expresses the intent to communicate verbally. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. It is very common in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Wiki, and Scientific publications. When writing, use "to talk" to describe the act of verbal communication and avoid using "talking" as a direct substitute for "discussion" in inappropriate contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to discuss

Emphasizes a more structured and focused conversation.

to have a conversation

Replaces the infinitive with a noun phrase, adding a slight emphasis on the interaction itself.

to communicate

Focuses on the broader act of conveying information, not necessarily verbally.

to hold a discussion

Similar to 'to discuss', but often implies a more organized or planned event.

to converse

Suggests a more formal and elaborate exchange of ideas.

to speak

Highlights the act of uttering words.

to engage in dialogue

Introduces a more formal tone, emphasizing the mutual exchange of ideas.

to exchange words

Focuses on the act of sharing verbal information.

to chat

Indicates a casual and informal conversation.

to make contact

Emphasizes establishing communication, not necessarily through speech.

FAQs

How can I use "to talk" in a sentence?

You can use "to talk" in various ways, such as "I need "to talk" about something important", or "It's good "to talk" to someone you trust".

What are some alternatives to "to talk"?

Alternatives include "to discuss", "to communicate", "to converse", or "to speak", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "talking" instead of "to talk" in all situations?

No, "talking" is a gerund or present participle, and it's not interchangeable with the infinitive "to talk" in all cases. For example, you would say "I want "to talk"", not "I want talking".

What's the difference between "to talk about" and "to discuss"?

"To talk about" is a general expression for addressing a topic, while "to discuss" implies a more formal and focused exchange of ideas. You might "to talk about" the weather, but you would "to discuss" a business plan.