to talk with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to talk with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is commonly used to describe the action of having a conversation or discussion with someone. Example: I sat down with my boss yesterday to talk with him about my work performance.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I like to talk with images.

The New York Times

I have to talk with you.

Independent

He needed to talk with his owners.

Independent

I am prepared to talk with anyone.

The New York Times

"You're easy to talk with, Clive".

The New Yorker

We have to talk with each other.

The New York Times

"I'd try to talk with them.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are happy to talk with you.

The New York Times

I don't need to talk with him.

The Guardian - Sport

You have to talk with them.

The New York Times - Food

I'm scared to talk with police".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to talk with" when you want to emphasize the act of having a conversation or discussion with someone. It implies a two-way exchange of information or ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "to talk with" when you mean "to talk at". "To talk at" implies a one-way communication where you are speaking and someone else is primarily listening, without a real exchange.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to talk with" functions as an infinitive phrase, often serving as a verb complement or part of a verb phrase. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and commonly used. It describes the action of engaging in a conversation or discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to talk with" is a grammatically sound and widely used infinitive phrase that denotes engaging in conversation or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and general communications. While alternatives like "to speak with" or "to discuss with" exist, choosing "to talk with" effectively conveys the intention of a two-way exchange. Remember to distinguish it from "to talk at", which implies a one-way communication. With its frequent occurrence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "to talk with" enhances clarity and precision in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to have a conversation with

Replaces "talk" with the more formal "have a conversation", emphasizing a back-and-forth exchange.

to speak with

Substitutes "talk" with "speak", which can imply a more formal or one-way communication.

to discuss with

Uses "discuss" to highlight a more in-depth or planned conversation about a specific topic.

to chat with

Replaces "talk" with "chat", suggesting a more casual and friendly conversation.

to converse with

Employs "converse", a more formal synonym for "talk", suitable for sophisticated contexts.

to communicate with

Utilizes "communicate", broadening the scope to include any form of conveying information, not just verbal.

to engage in dialogue with

Suggests a structured and meaningful exchange of ideas, more formal than a simple chat.

to consult with

Implies seeking advice or expert opinion through conversation.

to interface with

More technical and impersonal, suggesting interaction rather than conversation.

to have words with

Implies a potentially negative or confrontational conversation.

FAQs

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

You can use "to talk with" when referring to engaging in conversation or discussion with someone. For example, "I need "to talk with" my manager about my project."

What are some alternatives to "to talk with"?

Some alternatives include "to speak with", "to discuss with", "to chat with", or "to have a conversation with", depending on the formality and context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "to talk with"?

While grammatically correct, "to talk with" might sound slightly less formal than "to speak with". Choose the phrasing that best suits the overall tone of your writing or speech.

What's the difference between "to talk with" and "to talk to"?

"To talk with" emphasizes a two-way exchange or conversation, while "to talk to" is more general and can also imply a one-way communication. "I want "to talk with" my friend about her problems" suggests a mutual conversation. "I need "to talk to" the audience" indicates addressing a group.