Speaking with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Speaking with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a conversation or interaction with someone, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "I appreciate the opportunity of speaking with you about the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Speaking with Valerie was like speaking with one of my best friends.

Huffington Post

Speaking with Rashid, he seems almost liberated.

TechCrunch

Speaking with HuffPost Monday, Kultala shot back.

Huffington Post

I was speaking with them.

The New York Times

He was also, uncharacteristically, speaking with journalists.

The New York Times - Tech

She found herself speaking with the guards.

The New York Times - Magazine

You could try speaking with the manager.

The New York Times

After speaking with Francona, I called Gammons.

The New York Times

Looking forward to speaking with you.

The New York Times

He wasn't speaking with hate.

The New Yorker

(Chibeza retracted this after speaking with Hammer Simwinga).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "speaking with" in formal writing, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and register of the document. It's suitable for reports, articles, and professional communications where a neutral and respectful tone is required.

Common error

Avoid using "speaking with" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "talking to" or "chatting with" would be more appropriate. Choose the most natural-sounding phrase for the situation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "speaking with" is to act as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb and indicating the person or entity involved in a conversation or interaction. Ludwig shows that it often follows verbs of communication, like "was", "am", or "is".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speaking with" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe an interaction or conversation. Ludwig AI confirms that it's considered correct and usable in written English. It is frequently found in news and media, but can also be used in professional and informal settings. When using "speaking with", consider the context and audience to ensure the tone is appropriate, opting for simpler alternatives like "talking to" in more casual situations. The examples provided by Ludwig offer a wide variety of applications across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talking to

More informal alternative, suitable for everyday conversations.

in conversation with

Emphasizes the act of conversing and having a discussion.

chatting with

Suggests a casual and friendly interaction.

consulting with

Implies seeking advice or guidance from someone.

conferring with

Suggests a formal discussion or meeting.

interviewing

Specifically refers to a formal question-and-answer session.

addressing

Suggests speaking to a group or audience.

negotiating with

Implies discussing terms or reaching an agreement.

corresponding with

Refers to communicating via letters or email.

liaising with

Suggests coordinating and communicating between different parties.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "speaking with"?

You can use alternatives like "talking to", "in conversation with", or "chatting with" depending on the context.

Is "speaking with" formal or informal?

"Speaking with" is generally considered more formal and professional than phrases like "talking to". It's appropriate for business settings, official correspondence, and academic writing.

How to use "speaking with" in a sentence?

You can use "speaking with" to indicate a conversation or interaction, such as: "I was speaking with the manager about the issue" or "She will be speaking with the client tomorrow morning".

What's the difference between "speaking with" and "speaking to"?

"Speaking with" implies a more reciprocal conversation or interaction, while "speaking to" can sometimes suggest a one-way communication. However, in many contexts, they are used interchangeably.