a manner of speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a manner of speech" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a particular way or style in which someone communicates or expresses themselves verbally. Example: "Her manner of speech was so captivating that everyone in the room was drawn to her story."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

She said she was using a "manner of speech" and that she was not accuse Labour of illegality.

The Guardian

Weighty and commodious herself, she has a manner of speech that is soft, precise, attentive to others but completely resolved and determined.

The New York Times - Books

These Biloxians lived in neighborhoods like Point Cadet, the edge of land that curled into the Back Bay, and developed a culture, and even a manner of speech — a clipped sort of Cajunized Southern English — that was unique.

The New Yorker

It was only when I heard Fiona Shaw reading it that I understood the intricacy of Tóibín's achievement, how he weaves a manner of thinking into a manner of speech, so that a whole era and society are contained in the narrator's broken reporting of spoken sentences.

The Guardian - Books

Morrison, in her late 60s then, was at the height of her powers, a Nobel laureate with a famously low tolerance for journalists and critics, and a personal style as distinctive as her prose: silver dreadlocks, sharp, unwavering eye contact and a manner of speech – when she did speak – that, to her annoyance, people were wont to call poetry.

The Guardian - Books

And this is the clarification she later issued: I think it was a manner of speech that I was using... Labour's conduct has been pretty appalling, but frankly I have to say that, as far as I'm aware, it has not been criminal.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The First Amendment offers sweeping protection that allows all manner of speech to enter the marketplace of ideas.

The Washington Post

In this opinion we reaffirm the comprehensive boundaries of the First Amendment's free speech protection, which envelopes all manner of speech, even when that speech is loathsome in its intolerance, designed to cause offense, and, as a result of such offense, arouses violent retaliation.

The Washington Post

Palin, who studied journalism in college and worked for a time as a sportscaster, has an informal manner of speech, simultaneously chatty and urgent, and she reinforces her words with winks and nods and wrinklings of her nose that seem meant to telegraph intimacy and ease.

The New Yorker

Raised on the South Carolina coast, Mr. Tensley, 48, is a hospitable man with a slurry manner of speech.

The New York Times

She has a thick accent, a wry sense of humor, and a hurried manner of speech.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character in fiction, use "a manner of speech" to subtly reveal their background, personality, or social standing. For example, "His antiquated manner of speech suggested a life spent reading classic literature."

Common error

Avoid using "a manner of speech" when you specifically mean someone's accent. Accent refers to pronunciation, while "a manner of speech" encompasses broader aspects like vocabulary, syntax, and tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a manner of speech" functions as a noun phrase that refers to a particular way or style in which someone communicates verbally. Ludwig provides examples where it describes distinct or characteristic ways of speaking.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a manner of speech" is a noun phrase used to describe someone's particular way of speaking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, especially in news media and encyclopedias. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "way of speaking" or "style of speaking", "a manner of speech" offers a nuanced way to describe a speaker's verbal communication, encompassing elements beyond mere pronunciation. When writing, be sure to distinguish it from "accent" and use it to convey broader characteristics of someone's speaking style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A way of speaking

This alternative directly replaces "manner" with "way", simplifying the phrasing while retaining the core meaning.

A style of speaking

This alternative uses "style" instead of "manner", emphasizing the distinctiveness of the speech.

A speaking style

This alternative inverts the original phrase for a slightly different emphasis.

A mode of expression

This alternative broadens the scope from just speech to overall expression, encompassing non-verbal communication as well.

Verbal communication style

This alternative specifies the style to be verbal and directly related to communication.

A form of articulation

This alternative uses a more formal vocabulary, replacing "speech" with "articulation".

Delivery style

This alternative focuses on the delivery of the speech rather than the content.

Communicative style

This option puts emphasis on the overall communicative style of the person

Linguistic style

This alternative is more formal and refers to language properties of speech.

Voice modulation

This alternative focuses only on intonation and prosody aspects.

FAQs

How can I describe someone's "a manner of speech"?

You can describe someone's "a manner of speech" by noting its characteristics, such as being formal, informal, hesitant, eloquent, or rapid-fire. For instance, "His conversational manner of speech made everyone feel at ease."

What are some synonyms for "a manner of speech"?

Alternatives include "a way of speaking", "a style of speaking", or "a mode of expression". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "verbal manner of speech"?

Yes, saying "verbal manner of speech" is generally redundant because "speech" inherently implies verbal communication. It's more concise to simply use "a manner of speech".

How does "a manner of speech" differ from "tone of voice"?

"A manner of speech" encompasses the broader style and characteristics of someone's communication, including word choice and sentence structure. "Tone of voice", on the other hand, refers specifically to the emotional coloring of their voice during speaking.