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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
trash about
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"trash about" is not a correct phrase in written English.
It is likely a mistake or a colloquialism that is not widely accepted as standard grammar. Examples of correct phrases using the word "trash" could be: - "She threw the trash away before leaving the house." - "The beach was littered with trash after the party." - "I couldn't believe the amount of trash on the side of the road." If you are trying to express the idea of someone talking negatively about something or someone, a correct phrase could be "talk trash" or "speak negatively." An example of this could be: "He loves to talk trash about his ex-girlfriend, but I don't listen to him."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
57 human-written examples
Wow, remind us not to talk trash about RZA. .
News & Media
For Baldwin, it meant talking trash about Hemingway and Faulkner.
News & Media
And another thing: Don't whine or talk trash about it.
News & Media
He has the credentials to talk trash about coaches.
News & Media
They good-naturedly talk trash about each other's teams.
News & Media
"I am not going to talk trash about the hockey game," Mr. Obama said.
News & Media
Also, he was talking trash about Tripp's grandmother, the former Republican vice presidential nominee.
News & Media
All that trash about the vodka being smooth: his whole conversation had been a sales pitch.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
3 human-written examples
Once they started, they ended up trashing about 18 properties per week.
News & Media
"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has found that we are still trashing about 85% of our electronics, with only 15% is getting into the hands of recyclers.
News & Media
"Nothing trashing about this," said Pat Kollenda, festival board member and fashionista.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using the phrase "trash about" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more grammatically correct and widely accepted alternatives like "talk trash" or "speak negatively about".
Common error
The phrase "trash about" is often misused when the intended meaning is to speak negatively about something. Remember that "trash" functions as a noun in this context. Instead, use the correct verb phrase "talk trash about" or more formal alternatives like "criticize" or "disparage".
Source & Trust
69%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
"Trash about" is generally considered ungrammatical in standard English. It's often intended as a verb phrase, but the correct usage involves using "trash" as a noun within a different construction, such as "talking trash". Ludwig AI confirms this incorrect usage.
Frequent in
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "trash about" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI validates this, and it's recommended to use alternatives such as "talk trash" or "speak negatively about" to express criticism or disapproval. While the intent might be clear in informal settings, more formal contexts require grammatically sound alternatives. The register leans toward informal speech, and authoritative sources do not support the usage of "trash about".
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
talk trash
More common idiom to express boastful or insulting speech.
speak negatively about
A more formal way to express criticism or disapproval.
criticize
Directly express disapproval or find fault with something.
badmouth
Informal term for speaking ill of someone or something.
run down
Implies belittling or disparaging someone or something.
disparage
A more formal term for speaking slightingly about something.
denigrate
Similar to disparage, suggesting a deliberate attempt to belittle.
belittle
Make someone or something seem unimportant.
derogate
Express a low opinion of something; a more formal term.
slam
A more forceful and direct way of expressing strong criticism.
FAQs
Is "trash about" grammatically correct?
No, "trash about" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "talk trash" or "speak negatively about".
What does "talk trash about" mean?
"Talk trash about" means to speak boastfully or insultingly about someone or something. It is an informal expression.
Are there formal alternatives to "talk trash about"?
Yes, more formal alternatives to "talk trash about" include "criticize", "disparage", or "speak negatively about".
How can I avoid using "trash about" incorrectly?
Remember that "trash" is a noun. If you want to express the act of speaking negatively, use the verb phrase "talk trash". If you want to talk about literal trash, say "dispose of the trash" or "empty the trash".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
69%
Authority and reliability
1.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested