agree to speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree to speak" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating consent or willingness to engage in a conversation or discussion. Example: "After much consideration, I have decided to agree to speak at the conference next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

If only everybody would agree to speak one or two official tongues, it would be easier.

The Economist

The one member of the congregation who did agree to speak condemned gay marriage.

The New York Times

He typically does not agree to speak at events, particularly those involving film, he said.

The New York Times

They agree to speak the neutral language of English, resulting in a conversation that is far more friendly than fluent.

The New York Times

If they cannot agree to speak with one voice (by allowing a single envoy to represent the European Union), what if they agreed to speak with one mouth?

The Economist

No other news organization had interviews with the jurors before these appearances because both morning shows persuaded their guests to agree to speak first to them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Mondale agreed to speak.

The New Yorker

They agreed to speak later that day.

The New Yorker

Allen was impressed, and they agreed to speak again.

The New Yorker

In the end, Obama agreed to speak on the eighth.

The New Yorker

He had agreed to speak at Kew the night before.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agree to speak" when referring to someone's consent to participate in a discussion, interview, or public address. It implies a conscious decision to share information or opinions.

Common error

Avoid using "agree to speak" when a person is simply present and talking. The phrase implies a prior request or invitation that the person has accepted. Using it incorrectly can suggest that the speaker was initially unwilling or reluctant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree to speak" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of consenting or committing to engage in verbal communication. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its use in various contexts, from news reporting to scientific research. The grammatical status is deemed correct according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "agree to speak" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression indicating consent or commitment to engage in a conversation or presentation. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use across various authoritative sources, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it is important to use this phrase when there is a clear indication of prior request or invitation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, suggesting it as a reliable choice for expressing someone's willingness to communicate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consent to speak

Replaces "agree" with "consent", emphasizing formal permission.

consent to talk

Replaces "speak" with "talk", making it slightly more informal.

give consent to speak

Adds "give" for more explicit consent.

be willing to speak

Focuses on willingness rather than agreement.

be prepared to speak

Highlights readiness to speak.

be open to speaking

Suggests a general openness to the possibility of speaking.

arrange to speak

Emphasizes the arrangement or planning aspect of speaking.

make arrangements to speak

More verbose version of arranging to speak.

decide to speak

Highlights the decision-making process leading to speaking.

accept to speak

Focuses on the acceptance of an invitation or request to speak.

FAQs

How to use "agree to speak" in a sentence?

You can use "agree to speak" when describing someone's decision to participate in a conversation or public forum. For example, "The witness "agreed to speak" under the condition of anonymity."

What can I say instead of "agree to speak"?

Alternatives include "consent to speak", "be willing to speak", or "accept to speak", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "agree to speak" or "agree to talk"?

Both "agree to speak" and "agree to talk" are correct, but "agree to speak" is slightly more formal and often used in situations involving public speaking or official statements, while "agree to talk" is more casual and suitable for everyday conversations.

What's the difference between "agree to speak" and "offer to speak"?

"Agree to speak" implies someone has requested or invited the person to speak, and the person has accepted. "Offer to speak", on the other hand, means the person is volunteering to speak without being asked.