we talked about this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we talked about this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a previous conversation or discussion regarding a specific topic. Example: "As we discussed earlier, we talked about this issue during our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

My husband works in the cycling industry and we talked about this as we ate breakfast this morning.

Huffington Post

"Now, we talked about this.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We talked about this every day.

The New York Times - Sports

We talked about this all the way back to campus.

The New Yorker

And we talked about this frankly at the beginning.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We talked about this in the eighties, too," Stafford said.

The New Yorker

We talked about this, Madeline and I, half seriously.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

So we begin this Eng video of the iPod Touch with camera that we talked about this week.

TechCrunch

There, we talked about this year's best artists, the conventional structure of contemporary songs, and how we can better listen to hear the nuances.

The New Yorker

Can we talk about this?

The New York Times

Did we talk about this?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, briefly mention the context or timeframe of the original discussion, such as, "We talked about this during the project kickoff meeting," or "We talked about this last week when planning the budget."

Common error

Avoid using "we talked about this" without ensuring everyone present was part of the original conversation. Otherwise, provide a quick summary to bring everyone up to speed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we talked about this" primarily functions as a reference to a prior conversation or discussion. It serves to remind the listener or reader of a previously covered topic, as illustrated by Ludwig examples where speakers use the phrase to build upon established understandings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we talked about this" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to reference prior conversations or discussions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively establishes a shared context and streamlines communication. While its register leans towards neutral to informal, more formal alternatives are available for professional settings. Its prevalence across News & Media sources underscores its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure your audience was part of the original conversation to avoid confusion and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we discussed this

Replaces "talked" with "discussed", suggesting a more formal or detailed conversation.

we have already addressed this

Emphasizes that the topic has been dealt with previously.

we previously covered this topic

Highlights that the subject was part of an earlier discussion or presentation.

we touched on this matter before

Indicates a brief or less detailed discussion occurred.

this was brought up earlier

Focuses on the fact that the issue was mentioned, without specifying the extent of the discussion.

we went over this

Implies a review or explanation of the subject occurred.

this has been our understanding

Suggests a mutual agreement or conclusion was reached.

we've been over this ground

Indicates the topic has been explored or debated before.

we considered this

Highlights that the topic was given thought or evaluation.

we mentioned it

Indicates that the topic was briefly brought up in conversation, without any discussion necessarily happening.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "we talked about this" to sound more formal?

In a formal setting, you can use phrases like "we discussed this", "we previously addressed this", or "we have already addressed this".

Is it appropriate to use "we talked about this" in professional communication?

Yes, but ensure your audience was part of the original conversation. If not, provide a brief recap. More formal alternatives like "as previously mentioned" might be suitable in very formal contexts.

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

"We discussed this" often implies a more in-depth and structured conversation than "we talked about this", which can refer to a casual or brief exchange.

How can I use "we talked about this" effectively in a presentation?

Use "we talked about this" to transition smoothly between topics, reminding the audience of a previous point. Follow it with a concise summary if necessary: "We talked about this earlier; now, let's delve into...".