initiate speech

USAGE SUMMARY

"initiate speech" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you want to describe the act of starting to speak or beginning a conversation. For example, "He decided to initiate speech during the meeting to address the concerns." Alternative expressions include "start a conversation" and "begin speaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

(Robots of that era always seemed obligated to initiate speech with senseless jargon).

The New Yorker

During the test drives, the handset was used to initiate speech and data sessions.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

They were transfixed and unable to initiate speech or movement.

Huffington Post

Celia, like others with this form of aphasia, now found it very difficult to initiate speech.

HuffPost

Music's predictable beats may help them initiate speech and continue fluently.

Los Angeles Times

Disruption of a strong linkage of lateral and medial prefrontal areas with the ventral anterior nuclei and the basal ganglia could lead to cognitive and emotional deficits, including inability to initiate speech, or readily change facial expression in emotional situations, associated with Parkinson's disease [73] [76].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He rarely initiated speech and typically answered questions with one-word responses.

HuffPost

By the end of the half hour session, three of the children initiated speech when helped to free their voices.

Huffington Post

Neuroscientists suspect that music may work in much the same way for stutterers, who can experience difficulties initiating speech and maintaining a steady flow of words.

Los Angeles Times

River crab has lent its name to an online political cartoon, Hexie Farm, which was banned by the Chinese government in 2011 but has nonetheless helped initiate free speech and human-rights campaigns.

BBC

Student A understood the place of Offers in the nature of the interactions: the change in Mode to drama caused the children to initiate using Speech Functions such as Offer because they were free to generate their own ideas.

Functional Linguistics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "initiate speech" when you want to emphasize the deliberate commencement of speaking, especially in formal or technical contexts. Ensure that the context supports the slightly formal tone of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "initiate speech" in casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "start talking" or "begin to speak" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initiate speech" functions as a verb phrase, where 'initiate' acts as a transitive verb and 'speech' is the direct object. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "initiate speech" is a grammatically sound and somewhat formal way to describe the commencement of speaking or conversation. According to Ludwig, it is correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly news, science, and technical writing. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "begin to speak" or "start talking", it offers a precise way to describe the deliberate action of starting to speak. Remember to consider your audience and context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate, avoiding its overuse in casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

begin to speak

Focuses on the action of starting to speak, emphasizing the commencement of verbal communication.

start talking

Highlights the commencement of conversation or discourse.

commence speaking

A more formal way of saying begin to speak, suitable for formal contexts.

utter the first words

Emphasizes the very first words spoken, indicating a new beginning of communication.

break one's silence

Implies ending a period of silence by beginning to speak.

initiate conversation

Specifically refers to starting a conversation.

open one's mouth to speak

Focuses on the physical action of beginning to talk.

start a dialogue

Refers to beginning a formal or structured conversation.

take the floor

Suggests beginning to speak in a formal setting, such as a meeting or debate.

initiate verbal communication

A technical or formal way of saying begin to speak, suitable for academic or scientific contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "initiate speech" in a sentence?

You can use "initiate speech" to describe the action of starting a conversation or beginning to speak, such as, "The robot was programmed to "initiate speech" upon detecting human presence".

What are some alternatives to "initiate speech"?

Alternatives include "begin to speak", "start talking", or "commence speaking", depending on the desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "initiate speech" instead of simpler phrases?

Use "initiate speech" in formal or technical contexts where you want to emphasize the deliberate and intentional commencement of speaking. Simpler phrases are better suited for casual conversation.

Is "initiate speech" considered formal language?

Yes, "initiate speech" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "start talking" or "begin speaking". Its use often implies a deliberate or programmed action.