have spoken

USAGE SUMMARY

"have spoken" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that an action of speaking occurred at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. Example: "They have spoken about the issue several times." Alternative expressions include "have talked" and "have communicated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have spoken before.

The New Yorker

I have spoken.

The New York Times

I could have spoken.

The New Yorker

THE voters have spoken.

The New York Times

Yet they have spoken.

The New York Times

Specifically, you have spoken.

The New Yorker

BROADWAY audiences have spoken.

The New York Times - Arts

The people have spoken".

The New York Times

"The people have spoken clearly".

The New York Times

The people may have spoken.

The New Yorker

Irish voters have spoken clearly.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have spoken" to indicate that someone has expressed something at some point in the past, with relevance to the present situation. For instance, "The experts have spoken on this issue."

Common error

Avoid using "have spoken" when referring to an action that will happen in the future. Instead, use "will speak" or "are going to speak".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have spoken" functions as a present perfect construction, combining the auxiliary verb "have" with the past participle "spoken." This indicates a completed action with present relevance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have spoken" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI, to indicate a completed action of speaking with present relevance. It commonly appears in news and formal contexts, conveying that a message or decision has been communicated with implications for the current situation. While versatile, it's important to use it correctly, ensuring the tense aligns with the intended meaning and avoiding its use for future actions. The phrase has several alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey, such as "have stated" or "have expressed."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have communicated

Broad term indicating the transmission of information.

have articulated

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the speaking.

have expressed

Highlights the communication of thoughts or sentiments.

have voiced

Emphasizes the expression of opinions or feelings.

have stated

Implies a clear and direct assertion.

have declared

Suggests a formal or official statement.

have revealed

Suggests the unveiling of previously unknown information.

have mentioned

Indicates a brief or casual reference.

have remarked

Indicates a comment or observation.

have testified

Specifically used in legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "have spoken" in a sentence?

Use "have spoken" to indicate that someone has already expressed their thoughts or opinions on a specific topic. For example, "The voters "have spoken" decisively in the election".

What are some alternatives to "have spoken"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "have stated", "have expressed", or "have communicated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "had spoken" instead of "have spoken"?

While both are grammatically correct, "had spoken" indicates a past perfect tense, referring to an action completed before another point in the past, whereas "have spoken" connects a past action to the present.

What's the difference between "have spoken" and "spoke"?

"Have spoken" (present perfect) indicates an action completed at an unspecified time in the past, with relevance to the present. "Spoke" (simple past) refers to a completed action at a specific time in the past.