useful talk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "useful talk" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a conversation or discussion that provides valuable information or insights. Example: "During the meeting, we had some useful talk about the upcoming project deadlines and expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There has been much useful talk at the summit of agreements between businesses, aid organisations and governments to try to fight against disease, in ways both big and small.

The Economist

What a useful talk shot segment THAT was.

Huffington Post

For all the useful talk about U.S. economic inequality and calls to raise the minimum wage, 2014 mostly will be another year like the last 50, with persistent attacks on workers' rights, huge income and wealth gains for the top 1percentt, and a declining standard of living for the other 99percentt.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Was it useful talking to the vicar?

The Guardian

(S/NF) U/S Tauscher mentioned Ambassador Philip Goldberg,s useful talks, which would continue.

The Guardian

A senior State Department envoy to North Korea said today, at the end of a three-day visit, that he had useful talks with the country's leaders.

The New York Times

The UN is a useful talking shop, but it does not get much done.The closest parallel is the world trading system.

The Economist

Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday evening, the United States special envoy to North Korea, Stephen W. Bosworth, also called for a return to the six-nation talks and said he had "very useful" talks with Chinese officials.

The New York Times

"It's been useful talking to the Negotiator as he raised some ideas that I've not thought about myself – like making our own wedding stationery, which could make a difference to costs.

The Guardian - Money

Meeting here, Mr. O'Neill and President Fernando Henrique Cardoso held what the American described as "cordial and very useful" talks about how to help Brazil cope with its worst financial crisis since the sharp devaluation of its currency, the real, in 1999.

The New York Times

On Tuesday, China, which with Russia vetoed an Arab and Western plan to urge President Bashar al-Assad to step aside, said it had taken new soundings in the region, sending a Foreign Ministry envoy, Li Huaxin, to Cairo for what were called "frank and useful" talks with Nabil al-Araby, the head of the Arab League, news reports said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing meetings or discussions, use "useful talk" to emphasize that the conversation provided valuable insights or solutions. For example, "The conference featured a series of useful talk on sustainable development."

Common error

While "useful talk" is acceptable, it can sound slightly formal in casual conversation. In more relaxed settings, consider alternatives like "helpful chat" or "good discussion" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "useful talk" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "useful" modifies the noun "talk". This indicates that the talk or discussion is beneficial or valuable. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

34%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "useful talk" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes a valuable or beneficial conversation. While not overly common, it is most frequently found in news and formal business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable, albeit with a slightly formal tone. For more casual settings, alternatives such as "helpful chat" or "good discussion" may be more fitting. When aiming for precision, consider related phrases like "productive discussion" or "valuable conversation" to highlight the specific benefits of the exchange.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

productive discussion

Emphasizes the outcome of the talk being beneficial or leading to positive results.

valuable conversation

Highlights the worth or importance of the exchange of ideas.

fruitful exchange

Suggests that the talk resulted in something positive or beneficial.

helpful dialogue

Focuses on the supportive or assisting nature of the conversation.

informative discussion

Highlights the educational or knowledge-sharing aspect of the talk.

constructive conversation

Implies that the talk led to improvements or solutions.

advantageous discourse

Stresses the favorable or beneficial nature of the talk.

worthwhile exchange

Indicates that the talk was a valuable use of time and effort.

practical discussion

Emphasizes the realistic and applicable nature of the talk.

effective communication

Focuses on the successful transmission and understanding of information during the talk.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "useful talk"?

You can use alternatives like "productive discussion", "valuable conversation", or "fruitful exchange" depending on the context.

How to use "useful talk" in a sentence?

"Useful talk" is generally used to describe a conversation or discussion that provides valuable information or insights. For example: "The workshop included some useful talk about new strategies."

Is "useful talk" formal or informal?

"Useful talk" leans toward the formal side. In casual settings, using phrases such as "helpful chat" or "good conversation" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "useful talk" and "helpful discussion"?

While both phrases convey a positive and beneficial conversation, "useful talk" emphasizes the value of information exchanged, whereas "helpful discussion" focuses more on providing assistance or support.