to talk to VS. to talk with
—| B1-B2 (intermediate) |—
In North American English, these two phrasal verbs do not mean the same thing.
TO TALK TO + SOMEONE
to have a specific reason for starting a conversation with someone (e.g. to answer a question that you have; to inform someone of something; to request someone to do something, etc.)
TO TALK WITH + SOMEONE
to participate in an informal conversation with someone; there is no specific reason for the conversation; there is no indication as to who started the conversation
EXAMPLES
“You want to quit your job?!”
“No, not really. But I have worked for the same company for five years without a single promotion.”
“Have you talked to your boss about getting paid more?”
“Not yet, but I want to.”
“You should! You deserve a raise! You need to talk to them, and soon!”
“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll do it on Monday.”
“We used to be best friends, but I haven’t talked with her for years.”
“You should send her a message on social media. Maybe you two could go out for coffee.”
“I would like to see her again. You know what, that is a great idea! I am going to do it!”
When was the last time you talked to someone? What was it about? Do you talk with friends often? Let me know in the comments below.
ASSOCIATED WORDS
Some synonyms of “to talk to + someone”, based on context, include:
to speak to + someone (standard)
to ask + someone + [to do] something (standard)
to request + someone + to do something (formal)
to inform + someone + of something (formal)
to let + someone + know something (standard)
Some synonyms of “to talk with + someone”, based on context, include:
to speak with + someone (standard)
to have a conversation with + someone (standard)
to converse with + someone (formal)
to chat with + someone (informal)