Same verb · different particle

“talk” phrasal verbs

Same verb, different particle, different meaning. Learn these 4 one at a time, then test yourself.

4 phrasal verbslisten & quiz

talk

down to into out of over

talk + down to · 1 of 4

talk down to

to speak to someone as if they are less intelligent

talk down to sb

To speak to someone in a way that makes them feel less intelligent or important, as if you think you are better than them.

How oftenNow and then

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

I don't like it when people talk down to me just because I'm younger.

A: Did you notice how the manager talked down to the new staff?
B: Yeah, it was really rude.

Common mistake

Not: Don't talk down me.

Say: Don't talk down to me.

Don't drop 'to' — 'talk down TO' someone.

More on “talk down to”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, it's important for teachers not to talk down to their students, because everyone deserves respect in the classroom.

Tell it apart

She talks down to her team.

treats them as less intelligent

She talks to her team.

just communicates normally

Goes with

talk down to

Practice saying this

Next: talk into

talk + into · 2 of 4

talk into

persuade someone to do something

talk sb into sth sth

to convince someone to do something, especially when they are unsure or unwilling at first.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My friends talked me into joining the gym, even though I was nervous at first.

A: I wasn't sure about going on the trip, but Anna talked me into it.
B: She can be very convincing!

Common mistake

Not: She talked me into ~~buy~~ a car.

Say: She talked me into buying a car.

Talk someone into DOING something — '-ing', not the infinitive.

More on “talk into”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, parents shouldn't try to talk their children into choosing a certain career. It's important for young people to make their own decisions.

Tell it apart

She talked me into it.

persuaded me to do it

She talked me out of it.

persuaded me not to

Goes with

talk someone into

Practice saying this

Next: talk out of

talk + out of · 3 of 4

talk out of

persuade not to do

talk sb out of sth

to persuade someone not to do something, especially something unwise or risky.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Her friends managed to talk her out of quitting her job.

A: I was going to buy that expensive phone, but my brother talked me out of it.
B: Good call! You can save your money for something better.

Common mistake

Not: I talked him out of ~~to quit.~~

Say: I talked him out of quitting.

Talk someone out of DOING something — '-ing'.

More on “talk out of”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my opinion, parents should try to talk their children out of making decisions that could harm their future, like dropping out of school.

Tell it apart

I talked him out of quitting.

persuaded him not to

I talked him into quitting.

persuaded him to

Goes with

talk someone out of

Practice saying this

Next: talk over

talk + over · 4 of 4

talk over

discuss carefully

talk sth over with sb

to discuss something in detail, especially to make a decision or solve a problem.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inMostly spoken

Examples

Before making a final decision, we should talk it over together.

A: I'm not sure if I should accept the job offer.
B: Let's talk it over tonight and see what you think.

Common mistake

Not: Let's talk ~~over it.~~

Say: Let's talk it over.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'talk it over'.

More on “talk over”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

In my family, we always talk over big decisions so everyone feels included.

Tell it apart

Let's talk it over.

discuss it together

Stop talking over me.

interrupting / speaking while I'm speaking

Goes with

talk over + matter

Practice saying this

Test yourself: which “talk” fits?

Fill the gap

Which “talk” fits?

Read the sentence, then pick the phrasal verb that belongs in the gap.

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talk down to talk into talk out of talk over