What are the definitions of “talk at”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Talk to someone and not give them a chance to reply or listen to them.
There's no point trying to convince them they'll just TALK AT you until you give up.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “talk at”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb talk at is to speak to someone without giving them a chance to reply or listen to them. It often implies that the speaker is not interested in having a genuine conversation or considering the other person's opinions.
What are the different verb forms of “talk at”?
| Root Verb | talk at |
| Third Person Singular Present | talks at |
| Present Participle | talking at |
| Simple Past | talked at |
| Past Participle | talked at |
Example
She always talks at me when we discuss politics.
Example
He talks at his employees during meetings.
Example
She is talking at her friend, not listening to her side of the story.
Example
Yesterday, he talked at me for an hour about his opinions.
Example
I felt like I was being talked at during the entire conversation.
What kind of phrasal verb is “talk at”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“talk at” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She talked at me for hours.
Example
He talked at his employees during the meeting.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“talk at” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She talked at me for hours.
Example
He talked at his employees during the meeting.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “talk at”?
Good things to know
Does “talk at” have an informal or formal tone?
Talk at is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal discussions, depending on the context.
