do a speech

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'do a speech' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to mean that someone is delivering a speech. For example, you could say, "My teacher asked me to do a speech about the importance of voting this week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The other day a school asked me to do a speech and I said no.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"My childhood best friend, who is gay, asked me to do a speech at his wedding in France.

The Guardian

"If I do a speech about self-harm [can I] then proceed to watch someone cut themselves on my stage?

The Guardian - Music

I wish I could do a speech like Colin Firth and talk about fridges, but I can't".

The Guardian - Film

"In Portugal when we talk about colonial times, we're obliged to do a speech about how bad it was," Mr. Gomes said.

The New York Times

"Normally he would stand up to do a speech, so suddenly he was like, 'how do I get everyone's attention?!' recalls Swidenbank.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

These ads are like the ads in Gmail, except that the Pudding's computers do a speech-to-text translation of what you are saying and serve up contextual ads accordingly.

TechCrunch

He's doing a speech instead.

The Guardian - Music

On Tuesday I'm doing a speech to new starters at the factory.

The New York Times - Sports

Burke did a speech from the play as an audition piece in the late 1970s.

The Guardian

In the film he declares that his fee is £5,000 a day "if I'm doing a speech or something".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "do a speech", ensure it aligns with the context. It is generally suitable for informal or neutral situations. For more formal contexts, consider using "deliver a speech" or "present a speech".

Common error

Avoid using "do a speech" in highly formal settings such as academic conferences or business presentations. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "deliver a presentation" or "present findings" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do a speech" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of delivering a prepared oration. It acts as a general descriptor for the activity. Ludwig AI confirms this is acceptable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "do a speech" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe the act of delivering a speech. Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is suitable for written English, primarily fitting a neutral to informal register. While alternatives like "deliver a speech" or "present a speech" might be preferred in more formal contexts, "do a speech" remains a viable option for everyday communication. The phrase appears most frequently in News & Media sources and less often in Formal & Business contexts. Be mindful of your audience and setting to ensure your language choices match the tone and level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver a speech

Focuses on the act of presenting or giving a speech to an audience.

give a speech

A common and direct way to express the action of presenting a speech.

make a speech

Emphasizes the creation and delivery of a speech.

present a speech

Highlights the formal act of showing or offering a speech.

hold a speech

Suggests organizing and executing a speaking event.

recite a speech

Implies a memorized or pre-written speech is being delivered.

perform a speech

Emphasizes the performative aspect of delivering a speech.

utter a speech

Highlights the act of verbally expressing a speech.

orator a speech

Suggests delivering a speech with skill and eloquence

address an audience

Focuses on the act of speaking to an assembled group.

FAQs

What does "do a speech" mean?

The phrase "do a speech" means to deliver or present a speech to an audience. It's a common way to express the action of speaking publicly on a particular topic.

What can I say instead of "do a speech"?

You can use alternatives like "deliver a speech", "give a speech", or "make a speech" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "doing a speech"?

Yes, "doing a speech" is grammatically correct and is often used in a continuous tense to describe the process of preparing for or currently delivering a speech. For example, "I am doing a speech in class tomorrow".

What is the difference between "do a speech" and "make a speech"?

While both phrases are similar, "make a speech" often implies more emphasis on the creation and preparation of the speech, whereas "do a speech" simply refers to the act of delivering it. Both are generally interchangeable, but consider the subtle nuance depending on your intended meaning.