is speaking with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is speaking with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is currently engaged in a conversation with another person. Example: "She is speaking with her manager about the new project details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is speaking with forked tongue.

The New York Times

But Mr Ligeti is speaking with characteristic irony.

The Economist

He tends to stand slightly farther from someone he is speaking with than people usually do.

The New Yorker

On the screen Barack Obama is speaking with a correspondent on "60 Minutes".

The New York Times

We are in a dire situation; the planet is speaking with a very loud voice.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Cardon says he is speaking with other towns in states from South Carolina to Texas.

The New York Times

In fact, Robinson is speaking with a posh Australian accent – and wearing an Australian uniform.

The Guardian - Film

"I know the club is speaking with his agent," their coach Diego Simeone said.

The Guardian - Sport

"The agent in the field is speaking with Public Security on a daily basis during their shift," he said.

The New York Times

A familiar advertising spokescharacter who began talking only two and a half years ago is speaking with a new voice.

The New York Times

Hampton's agent, Mark Rodgers, said he will probably meet with Phillips today, but he is speaking with many teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is speaking with" to emphasize an active conversation or interaction between individuals. For example: "The manager is speaking with the employee about performance goals."

Common error

Avoid using "is speaking with" in overly formal or academic writing where more precise language might be preferred. Consider alternatives like "is consulting with" or "is discussing with" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is speaking with" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an ongoing action of communication or conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is speaking with" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe an ongoing conversation or interaction, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with a generally neutral register, although formal alternatives may be preferred in some situations. The phrase's function is to describe an interaction and the examples on Ludwig show many use cases of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is talking to

Focuses on the act of talking to someone, a direct and simple alternative.

is having a conversation with

Emphasizes the interactive and reciprocal nature of the communication.

is discussing with

Highlights the act of exchanging ideas or information about a specific topic.

is conversing with

Implies a more formal or elaborate discussion.

is consulting with

Implies seeking advice or guidance from someone.

is in communication with

Emphasizes the state of being connected through communication.

is engaged in dialogue with

Suggests a formal and structured exchange of views.

is corresponding with

Suggests communication through written means, like letters or emails.

is addressing

Highlights the act of speaking or presenting information to someone.

is in negotiations with

Implies that people are in a discussion in order to reach an agreement.

FAQs

What's the difference between "is speaking with" and "is talking to"?

While often interchangeable, "is speaking with" can sometimes imply a more formal or purposeful conversation than "is talking to".

How can I use "is speaking with" in a sentence?

"Is speaking with" is used to describe an ongoing conversation or interaction. For example: "The negotiator is speaking with the CEO about the terms of the agreement."

What can I say instead of "is speaking with"?

You can use alternatives such as "is conversing with", "is discussing with", or "is in communication with" depending on the context.

Is "is speaking with" appropriate for formal writing?

While acceptable, in formal writing, consider alternatives like "is consulting with" or "is corresponding with" to convey a more specific or professional tone.