when we talked

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when we talked" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a past conversation or discussion between the speaker and another person. Example: "I remember the advice you gave me when we talked last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Before, when we talked, no one listened".

The New York Times

When we talked, we laughed and joked.

The Guardian - Film

"But when we talked, he clarified things".

The New York Times

Remember the days when we talked only of message discipline?

The New York Times

Jones scoffed at the complaints when we talked.

The New Yorker

When we talked, O'Leary was still uncertain about her role.

The New Yorker

❏ I was drunk when we talked about that.

The New Yorker

It was 1 a.m. in Tokyo when we talked.

The New York Times - Arts

"When we talked, it sounded really promising," Ms. Holloway said.

The New York Times

(When we talked, he'd just finished Jill Leovy's "Ghettoside").

The New Yorker

Schneider seemed most at ease when we talked about his wife.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when we talked" to smoothly introduce information or recollections from a past conversation, providing context for the current discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "when we talked" to refer to hypothetical or future conversations. It specifically denotes a past event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when we talked" functions as an adverbial clause, modifying the main clause by providing temporal context. It establishes a specific time frame, referencing a past conversation relevant to the statement being made. Ludwig confirms this usage with numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "when we talked" functions as an adverbial clause that sets a temporal context by referencing a past conversation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse sources. While generally neutral in register, it frequently appears in news and media. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "during our conversation" or "as we discussed". When using this phrase, remember that it refers to a specific past conversation and not hypothetical future interactions. In conclusion, the analysis confirms its proper and frequent usage in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as we discussed

Implies a review or recollection of a previous agreement or understanding.

during our conversation

Focuses on the event of the conversation itself, rather than the specific moment.

when we were speaking

Highlights the action of speaking, suggesting a more active exchange.

in our discussion

Emphasizes a more formal or structured exchange of ideas.

the last time we spoke

Emphasizes that it was the most recent conversation.

the time we talked

Refers to a specific instance or occasion of speaking.

as we mentioned

Highlights the act of mentioning something during the conversation.

when chatting

Indicates a more casual and informal conversation.

in our previous talk

Highlights the fact that a talk took place before.

during our chat

Similar to 'when chatting', but slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "when we talked" in a sentence?

You can use "when we talked" to refer back to a previous conversation. For example, "When we talked, you mentioned your interest in photography".

What's a more formal alternative to "when we talked"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "during our discussion" or "as we discussed".

Is it correct to say "when we talk" instead of "when we talked"?

While "when we talk" is grammatically correct, it refers to a future or habitual action. "When we talked" refers to a specific conversation in the past.

What can I say instead of "when we talked" to emphasize informality?

You could use phrases like "when chatting" or "the last time we spoke" for a more casual feel.