was not talking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not talking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was not engaged in conversation or speaking at a particular time in the past. Example: "During the meeting, she was not talking, which surprised everyone since she usually contributes a lot."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ryan was not talking about Tebow.

The New York Times - Sports

Jones was not talking trash.

The New York Times - Sports

He was not talking about war.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was not talking about the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

Whatever the reason, Pink was not talking.

The New York Times

He was not talking about free elections.

The New York Times

He was not talking about munching biscuits.

The New York Times

And he was not talking airlines.

The Guardian - Sport

But Mr. Diallo was not talking about Mr. Strauss-Kahn.

The New York Times

Even at Columbia, Trilling was not talking in a vacuum.

The New Yorker

Allen was not talking about glorious military victories.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure. Instead of always saying "He was not talking about...", try "He remained silent on the issue of..." to add stylistic variety.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by ensuring the sentence clearly specifies what the subject "was not talking" about. Otherwise, it may leave the reader wondering what topic is being excluded. For instance, instead of saying "He was not talking", clarify with "He was not talking about the company's financial performance."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not talking" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the absence of speech or communication regarding a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to express that someone remained silent or avoided a certain subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

1.67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not talking" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that someone was silent or not discussing a specific topic. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to convey the absence of speech or communication. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding who or what the subject "was not talking" about to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "was silent" or "did not speak" can be used to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was silent

Focuses on the absence of speech.

did not speak

Emphasizes the act of not uttering words.

was not communicating

Highlights the lack of exchange of information.

was not discussing

Indicates a different topic was being addressed.

was not mentioning

Focuses on the omission of a specific subject.

wasn't on the subject of

Directly states the topic was different.

refrained from speaking

Highlights a conscious decision to remain silent.

kept silent

Emphasizes the continued state of not talking.

offered no comment

Indicates a refusal to provide information.

didn't say a word

Stresses the complete absence of verbal communication.

FAQs

How can I use "was not talking" in a sentence?

Use "was not talking" to indicate someone's silence or avoidance of a particular subject. For example, "She "was not talking" about her promotion during the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "was not talking"?

You can use phrases like "was silent", "did not speak", or "was not discussing" as alternatives to "was not talking", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "did not speak" instead of "was not talking"?

"Did not speak" might sound slightly more formal, but "was not talking" is perfectly acceptable in most contexts. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When should I use "was not talking about" versus "was not discussing"?

Use "was not talking about" when referring to a specific topic that wasn't mentioned. Use "was not discussing" when the focus is on the lack of a conversation or dialogue about a topic.