all to speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all to speak" is not standard or commonly used in written English.
It may be intended to convey a sense of purpose or intention, but it lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "They gathered in the conference room, all to speak about the upcoming project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

While the Pope's answer began with a staunch defence of freedom of expression, saying it was the duty of all to speak out freely, he then stressed there were limits - especially when people mocked religion.

BBC

Cameron Lynton Crosby has told us all to speak in slogans.

The Guardian

"There was nothing here, nothing at all to speak of, just 80 or 90 years ago".

The New York Times - Arts

She's retained total enthusiasm, no rage at all to speak of, and a solid, warranted professional confidence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The denial and abuse of these rights by any government should be reason for us all to speak out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Solomon, Mr. Burnham, Mr. Lockwood and Ms. Bauer are all to speak or participate in symposiums at the festival.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I thought I had really "seen it all," so to speak.

Huffington Post

The Presidents of the United States, China, Iran and France are all scheduled to speak.

Independent

And now I think we all need to speak up".

The New York Times

It is time for all Americans to speak out.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why have we all chosen to speak out?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "all to speak" with more common alternatives such as "everyone should speak" or "all are encouraged to speak" to avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid relying on constructions like "all to speak" if you are writing for a formal context, as it may be perceived as awkward or grammatically incorrect. Opt for more conventional phrasing for professional communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all to speak" functions as a purpose phrase, indicating an intention or objective. While not a standard grammatical construction, it aims to express the reason or goal behind an action, similar to how infinitive phrases often function. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is not standard and provides alternative suggestions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all to speak" is a non-standard construction used to express the purpose of enabling everyone to voice their opinions. While Ludwig's AI flags it as potentially unclear, it appears mostly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts, albeit infrequently. For clearer communication, it's advisable to use alternatives like "everyone should speak" or "all are encouraged to speak", especially in formal writing. The best practice is to prioritize clarity and standard grammatical constructions over potentially ambiguous phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everyone to speak

Replaces "all" with "everyone" to emphasize individual participation in speaking.

each to speak

Similar to "everyone to speak", but emphasizes the individuality of each speaker.

all for speaking

Uses "for speaking" to indicate a purpose related to the act of speaking.

all should speak

Emphasizes a recommendation or obligation for everyone to express themselves.

all can speak

Indicates that everyone has the ability or permission to speak.

all must speak

Highlights a requirement or necessity for everyone to speak.

all to communicate

Broadens the purpose to include communication beyond just speaking.

all to express

Focuses on the act of expression, which can include speaking but is not limited to it.

all to contribute

Shifts the focus to making a contribution, which can be through speaking.

all to participate

Highlights the act of taking part, where speaking is one form of participation.

FAQs

How can I use "all to speak" in a sentence?

While "all to speak" isn't standard, you might rephrase it as "everyone is encouraged to speak" or "it's important for all to speak up". For example, instead of "The meeting is for all to speak", try "The meeting provides an opportunity for everyone to speak".

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

You can use alternatives like "everyone to speak", "all should speak", or "all are encouraged to speak" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "all to speak" or "all should speak"?

"All should speak" is generally considered more grammatically correct and clearer than "all to speak". The former is a standard way to express a recommendation, while the latter can sound awkward to native English speakers.

What's the difference between "all to speak" and "everyone to speak"?

While both aim to include everyone, "everyone to speak" is clearer and more direct. "All to speak" can sound incomplete or suggest a slightly different purpose, such as preparing all the necessary points for speaking.