eloquent

USAGE SUMMARY

"eloquent" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who expresses their thoughts and ideas very fluently and articulately. Example: "The professor's eloquent words made an impression on the entire class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His political writings often pushed to the limits of the permissible: he was an eloquent representative of those party insiders who were critical both of the influence of the military-industrial complex and of Russian nationalist currents within the party.

The Guardian

Secretary of State for Education, 1976-79; co-founder of SDP, 1981 Margaret Thatcher was neither the cleverest nor the most eloquent politician of her generation.

The Guardian

Xavi was not the captain but the fact that Del Bosque wrote a column in El País to mark his passing (and passing is the word), was eloquent in itself.

The Guardian - Sport

Even more eloquent is this extract from one of his last love letters, written from a North African airforce base: "Consuelo, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being my wife.

The Guardian - Books

The fans were furious but while at first it seemed a baffling decision and even Marcelo seemed to be bemused by it, it was an eloquent comment on how well Villarreal played; from chasing the match, Madrid recognised the need to conserve it.

The Guardian - Sport

The words of Joanne Martin are far more eloquent than any of mine in describing the potential benefits of such an approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

For all Schama's eloquent protestation, when it was over and done and we stepped out into the shiny Soho night, it was hard not be persuaded by Wolff's insistence on irrevocable transformation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Carr said, "A conversation with him was like opening bottle of champagne, it was earthy, it was eloquent, you could see to the heart of anything, he knew more about the issues around the state than any of his ministers".

The Guardian

In the Dáil on Wednesday, one of the parliament's most talented and eloquent deputies, former Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, tormented the Greens for shoring up Fianna Fáil even though the former party was conveniently absent from the chamber at the time.

The Guardian

I wonder how Smith is coping with being seen – her preference being for privacy and silence, and for allowing her books to do their own silent and eloquent talking.

The Guardian - Books

For further eloquent and moving testimony read the entry for 25 November 1963 in The Leonard Bernstein Letters edited by Nigel Simeone (Yale University Press), the contents of which give another overview of a liberal American century.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eloquent" when you want to emphasize the beauty and persuasiveness of someone's speech or writing. For instance, instead of saying "He was a good speaker", you could say "He was an eloquent speaker".

Common error

Avoid using "eloquent" to describe simple or casual communication. "Eloquent" suggests a certain level of formality and sophistication. Using it in an informal setting might sound unnatural or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

Eloquent primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe the quality of speech or writing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing it used to enhance the description of a speaker, writer, or even a silent expression by lending a nuance of expressiveness and persuasion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "eloquent" is a versatile adjective denoting fluency, force, and appropriateness in speech or writing. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across diverse contexts. As highlighted, it is most commonly found in news media, professional communications, and scientific publications. When choosing an alternative, consider nuances like clarity ("articulate"), persuasiveness ("persuasive"), or charm ("silver-tongued"). Use "eloquent" to describe formal and effective communication, avoiding it in casual conversation where it may sound out of place.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

articulate

Similar in meaning, but focuses more on clarity and precision in expression.

articulate and persuasive

Combines clarity with the ability to convince.

well-spoken

Emphasizes the pleasant and effective manner of speaking.

fluent

Highlights ease and smoothness in expressing oneself.

persuasive

Focuses on the ability to convince others through speech.

silver-tongued

Suggests a charming and manipulative way of speaking.

expressive

Emphasizes the ability to convey emotions and thoughts effectively.

forceful

Indicates a strong and impactful style of communication.

compelling

Highlights the ability to capture and hold attention.

rhetorical

Implies a skillful use of language for effect, sometimes excessively so.

FAQs

How to use "eloquent" in a sentence?

You can use "eloquent" to describe someone's speech or writing, as in "She delivered an eloquent speech". It can also describe something that is expressive or revealing, such as "His silence was eloquent".

What can I say instead of "eloquent"?

You can use alternatives like "articulate", "well-spoken", or "fluent" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "eloquent speaker" or "eloquently speaking"?

"Eloquent speaker" is the correct phrase. "Eloquent" is an adjective that describes the noun "speaker". "Eloquent speaking" would need a linking verb to make sense such as: "He is eloquently speaking", but it's less common.

What's the difference between "eloquent" and "persuasive"?

"Eloquent" describes the beauty and fluency of expression, while "persuasive" describes the ability to convince someone. Someone can be eloquent without being persuasive, and vice versa.