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Mr. Tom Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

A lot of talks

Hi

(Two friends are continuously talking during the lecture; at first the teacher just stares at them, then walks up to them and says:)

A lot of talks! Please concentrate on ...

I want to know if the phrase "a lot of talking" would have meant the same.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

'A lot of talks' does not make sense here. Talks are presentations or organised conversations but not short chats between friends in the context you give. 'A lot of talking' is more sensible although as a sentence you really ought to include a verb.

— David Hatton

  • 'A lot of talks' does not make sense here.
  • Talks are presentations or organised conversations but not short chats between friends in the context you give.
  • 'A lot of talking' is more sensible although as a sentence you really ought to include a verb.
  • g.
  • )
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4 Answers
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'A lot of talks' does not make sense here. Talks are presentations or organised conversations but not short chats between friends in the context you give.
'A lot of talking' is more sensible although as a sentence you really ought to include a verb. (E.g. 'There is a lot of talking' or 'stop talking' etc.)
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Thanks, David.

....but my example is from a Hollywood movie. All I can say is that the teacher was being apparently sarcastic.

Tom
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It must have had some contextual meaning that we've missed but as a stand-alone comment it makes no particular sense!
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Perhaps you misheard the movie?
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