be spoken about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be spoken about' is correct.
You can use it when referring to things or people that are talked about or discussed. For example: His bravery was often spoken about among the villagers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it's important that it be spoken about".

The New York Times

What cannot be spoken about is turned into silent images.

The Guardian - Arts

For Burnley even to be spoken about, it's a long, long way from where we were.

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't think that is to be spoken about," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

If we continue to do that, cricket will be spoken about, which is the most important thing".

The Guardian - Sport

If Dewey, as he is affectionately known, were a thoroughbred instead of a trotter, he would be spoken about in the same breath as Secretariat.

The New York Times - Sports

"If I join existing groups with straight people, there might be things that are awkward for us to discuss or cannot be spoken about directly and I have to lie about my sexual preference.

Independent

"It's a huge deal to have work that can't be on billboards, necessarily, be spoken about, and have clips shown, and have a discussion ensue," said Debra Granik, the film's director.

The New York Times

I believe empathy should be spoken about as a relationship – and that trust and rapport needs to be built between student and the other in order for a 'healthy' empathy to exist.

Stanford University

"The good Lord has given me a soapbox, and I'm going to use this soapbox to talk about what needs to be spoken about," the senator told his home town newspaper this week.

The Washington Post

There is a Bantu in my bathroom!" "Not one listener," McKaiser writes, "grappled with how it is that 18 years after our democratic journey … racialism's reach and endurance inside their homes and hearts dare not be spoken about".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a formal tone, prefer "be discussed" over "be spoken about".

Common error

Avoid using "be spoken about" excessively, as it can make your writing sound indirect and less engaging. Consider rephrasing sentences to use active voice where appropriate to make your writing more dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be spoken about" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being discussed. It is a versatile construction used across various contexts, as evidenced by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

14%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be spoken about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction, indicating that a subject is being discussed or mentioned. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources. While versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality and the potential for overuse of passive voice. Alternatives such as "be discussed" or "be mentioned" can provide more direct or nuanced expressions, but the phrase is generally acceptable across multiple contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be discussed

Focuses more directly on a deliberate conversation or debate.

be mentioned

Implies a briefer or less detailed reference.

be talked about

More informal alternative, suggesting casual conversation.

be addressed

Implies a formal or official handling of a topic.

be considered

Highlights the act of thinking about or evaluating something.

be referenced

Implies a specific citation or allusion.

be brought up

Indicates the introduction of a topic into a conversation.

be touched upon

Suggests a brief or superficial examination of a subject.

be alluded to

Implies an indirect or subtle reference.

be examined

Focuses on a detailed inspection or analysis.

FAQs

How can I use "be spoken about" in a sentence?

You can use "be spoken about" to indicate that something is being discussed. For example, "The issue needs to "be addressed"" or "His achievements will "be remembered"."

What's the difference between "be spoken about" and "be talked about"?

"Be spoken about" is generally more formal than "be talked about", with the latter being a more casual phrasing.

What are some alternatives to "be spoken about"?

Alternatives include "be discussed", "be mentioned", or ""be addressed"", depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "be spoken about" over other similar phrases?

Use "be spoken about" when you want to emphasize the act of something being discussed or considered, often when the discussion is widespread or significant. It's suitable when the focus is on the reception or consideration of the topic, rather than just its existence.