was talked to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was talked to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone was spoken to by another person, often in a passive context. Example: "He was talked to about his behavior during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Nobody under sixteen was talked to until a parent or guardian arrived.

The New Yorker

For the first 15 years of his life, Alex was talked to by his trainers for eight hours each day.

The Economist

"Brad was quiet and kept his mouth shut unless he was talked to and taking it all in," Matta said.

The New York Times - Sports

Once the investigation was launched and Ghessen was talked to, the Sun decided to act by lunchtime on Monday, issuing an apology overnight.

The Guardian

The Hernandezes first noticed that Kayla could not sit up by herself and that she did not pay much attention when she was talked to.

The New York Times

As I was talked to the staff, I saw a woman hunched over folded bright-coloured cloth, grief etched on her face.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Guinea pigs love to be talked to!

WikiHow

He was talking to himself.

The New Yorker

He was talking to us.

The New Yorker

I was talking to Larry without talking.

The New York Times - Sports

She was talking to Roque, Roque was talking to her.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was talked to" to emphasize the passive nature of the interaction, highlighting that the subject received communication rather than initiated it.

Common error

Avoid replacing "was talked to" with active constructions when the focus should remain on the recipient of the communication. For instance, instead of "Someone talked to him", use "He was talked to" to emphasize his role as the receiver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was talked to" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject received communication. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It highlights the recipient of the conversation rather than the initiator.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was talked to" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that someone received verbal communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase, though relatively rare in occurrence. Its primary function is to describe a communicative event, emphasizing the recipient of the conversation. While its register is generally neutral, it is more frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, use "was talked to" to emphasize the passive nature of an interaction, ensuring that the focus remains on the recipient of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was spoken with

Emphasizes the act of speaking with someone, often in a more formal setting.

was addressed

Indicates that someone was formally spoken to, often in a meeting or public setting.

was consulted

Suggests that someone's opinion or advice was sought through conversation.

was interviewed

Implies a structured conversation, typically for gathering information.

was conferred with

Highlights a formal discussion or exchange of views.

was engaged in conversation

Focuses on the act of participating in a dialogue.

was had a conversation with

Alternative phrase that emphasizes that a conversation occurred.

was communicated with

Highlights a communication exchange more than just speaking. Can also imply that communication did not occur face-to-face

had a discussion with

Alternative phrase that highlights the fact that a discussion happened between two parties.

received communication from

Focuses on the receipt of a message, which may or may not have been verbal.

FAQs

What does "was talked to" mean?

The phrase "was talked to" indicates that someone was the recipient of speech or conversation. It implies that someone else initiated the communication directed at them.

What can I say instead of "was talked to"?

You can use alternatives like "was spoken with", "was addressed", or "was consulted" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "was talked to"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that someone received communication, especially when the initiator of the conversation is less important or unknown. Use it in a passive voice construction.

What's the difference between "was talked to" and "talked to"?

The phrase "was talked to" is in the passive voice, emphasizing the receiver of the communication. "Talked to" is active, emphasizing the person who initiated the conversation.