was talked about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was talked about" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that an idea or topic was discussed or mentioned. For example, "The surprise party to be held next week was talked about at the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Seattle was talked about everywhere.

The New York Times

E-mail which was talked about earlier as an communication exchange.

TechCrunch

Not much else was talked about.

The New Yorker

SAUCKEL: Yes, that was talked about.

Yale University

Much of it was talked about Ukraine.

The New York Times

This was talked about year after year".

The New York Times

Doyle was talked about and doing well.

The Guardian - Arts

PAUL GOLDBERGER: Yes, this was talked about, but never seriously.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Nandan was talking about Spitzer.

The New Yorker

"I was talking about infidelity.

The New Yorker

Who was talking about whom?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was talked about" when you want to emphasize that something was discussed but the specifics of the conversation aren't as important as the fact that it happened.

Common error

While "was talked about" is grammatically correct, overuse of passive voice can make your writing sound weak. Consider using active voice alternatives when appropriate for a more direct and engaging style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was talked about" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject received the action of being discussed. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness as stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was talked about" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that a topic was discussed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, although more formal alternatives like "was discussed" might be preferred in formal settings. The phrase is particularly frequent in news and media, academic writing, and science. While grammatically sound, remember to avoid overusing passive voice for a more engaging writing style. Ludwig's examples further illustrate its versatility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was discussed

Focuses more on a formal exchange of ideas.

was mentioned

Suggests a briefer or less detailed reference.

came up in conversation

Indicates a more casual and spontaneous discussion.

was under discussion

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the conversation.

was addressed

Implies a more direct and purposeful handling of the topic.

was a topic of conversation

Highlights the topic itself as the central element.

was referenced

Suggests a more indirect or allusive mention.

was touched upon

Indicates a brief and superficial examination.

was brought up

Emphasizes the act of introducing the topic into the conversation.

was considered

Suggests that the topic was thought about or evaluated.

FAQs

How can I use "was talked about" in a sentence?

You can use "was talked about" to indicate that a topic or issue was discussed. For instance, "The new company policy "was talked about" at the meeting".

What are some alternatives to "was talked about"?

Alternatives include "was discussed", "was mentioned", or "came up in conversation", each carrying slightly different connotations depending on the context.

Is "was talked about" formal or informal?

"Was talked about" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "was discussed" might be preferred in highly formal settings.

What's the difference between "was talked about" and "was discussed"?

While similar, "was discussed" often implies a more structured and detailed conversation than "was talked about", which can refer to a more casual mention.