to talk to

USAGE SUMMARY

"to talk to" is correct and commonly used in written English.
Example: I need to talk to my boss about my upcoming presentation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be fun to talk to!

WikiHow

He's easy to talk to.

Independent

Great to talk to you.

The New Yorker

How to talk to people.

The New York Times

Please agree to talk to us again.

The Guardian

"I have to talk to my farmers".

The New York Times

Did I want to talk to her?

The New York Times - Magazine

I want to talk to him.

The New Yorker

"We have to talk to him".

Independent

They need to talk to people more".

The New York Times

Goode was determined to talk to them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to talk to", ensure the context clearly indicates who is initiating the conversation and who is receiving it for clear communication.

Common error

Avoid using "to talk to" in a way that creates ambiguity about the subject and object of the conversation. Ensure the sentence structure clearly identifies who is speaking and who is being spoken to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to talk to" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase indicating the act of communicating or conversing with someone. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is correct and widely used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to talk to" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent infinitive phrase used to express the action of engaging in conversation with someone. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is appropriate for a wide array of contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. Its frequent appearance in news media and wiki articles underlines its widespread applicability. Alternative phrases such as "to speak with" or "to communicate with" can provide nuanced variations for specific communication scenarios. Therefore, writers can confidently use "to talk to" while being mindful of the context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to speak with

Emphasizes a more formal interaction or conversation.

to communicate with

Highlights the exchange of information or ideas.

to converse with

Implies a more reciprocal and engaging conversation.

to have a conversation with

Specifies the action as a complete interaction.

to discuss with

Focuses on a specific topic or subject being addressed.

to consult with

Suggests seeking advice or information from someone.

to chat with

Implies a more casual and informal conversation.

to engage in dialogue with

Emphasizes the interactive and reciprocal nature of the communication.

to interface with

Highlights interaction, often in a technical or professional context.

to make contact with

Focuses on initiating communication.

FAQs

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

You can use "to talk to" in various contexts, such as "I need "to talk to" my manager about my performance" or "It's always helpful "to talk to" a friend when you're feeling down".

What are some alternatives for "to talk to"?

Alternatives include "to speak with", "to communicate with", or "to have a conversation with", depending on the formality and context of the conversation.

Is it better to use "to talk with" or "to talk to"?

Both "to talk with" and "to talk to" are acceptable, but "to talk to" is more commonly used. "To talk with" implies a more reciprocal conversation, while "to talk to" can be used in a broader range of contexts.

When should I use "discuss with" instead of "to talk to"?

Use "discuss with" when you want to emphasize that you are addressing a specific topic or subject in a conversation, rather than just having a general chat.