let someone speak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let someone speak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to give permission or encourage someone to express their thoughts or opinions. Example: "During the meeting, it's important to let everyone speak so that all viewpoints are considered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Why the hell would she put up with that?" or "Oh, I would never let someone speak to me that way".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

She's nice, friendly, and always lets someone speak, waiting her turn to respond.

WikiHow

"My answer changes from moment to moment, but right now I will say: The truth is that it is better to speak for yourself than to let someone else speak for you".

Huffington Post

Still, in 2016, aren't there times when, if you're leftwing, white and male, you feel the best thing you can do is just let someone else speak?

The Guardian - Film

"I wasn't going to let someone who was speaking the truth and being replied to aggressively be put in that position.

Huffington Post

In "Electric Shadows", the narrator reflects on his early life and loves, "how I'd started then the pattern of stillness that wasn't yet erased, of stepping back and letting someone else speak for me, of writing secret words of love to which I would never admit..

The Guardian - Books

If you are speaking up just to show how much you know, it's better to let someone else talk or let the meeting run its natural course.

Harvard Business Review

"Do you think the Democrats would ever let someone who is pro-life speak at their convention?" he asked before dashing into the book party.

The New York Times

A common use is to get someone's attention - program the ball to "poke" someone, to let someone know you want to speak to them.

WikiHow

Let someone else let them in.

The New York Times - Magazine

Never let someone define you.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When facilitating conversations, actively encourage quieter members to share their thoughts. A simple invitation like, "[Name], what are your thoughts on this?" can make a big difference.

Common error

Avoid dominating discussions or frequently interrupting others. Even if you have strong opinions, remember that effective communication involves creating space for others to share their perspectives. Instead of constantly steering the conversation, practice active listening and deliberately "let someone speak".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let someone speak" functions primarily as an imperative, urging or allowing someone to express their thoughts or opinions. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard English grammar, serving to encourage participation or grant permission to speak. It's a directive phrase used to promote communication.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "let someone speak" is a grammatically sound and commonly used imperative in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to either permit or encourage an individual to voice their thoughts, promoting inclusivity and diverse perspectives. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various formal and informal communications. Alternatives such as ""allow someone to talk"" and ""give someone the floor"" offer similar meanings, while best practices emphasize active facilitation to ensure equitable participation in conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

allow someone to talk

Replaces "let" with "allow", maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

give someone an opportunity to speak

Focuses on providing a chance or occasion for someone to talk.

give someone the floor

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate giving someone the opportunity to speak.

hear someone out

Focuses on listening to someone without interruption.

permit someone to express themselves

Replaces "speak" with "express themselves", focusing on the act of conveying thoughts or feelings.

invite someone to share their thoughts

Uses a more proactive and welcoming tone to encourage someone to contribute.

enable someone to voice their opinion

Emphasizes the act of empowering someone to share their viewpoint.

make room for someone's voice

Implies creating space or consideration for someone's perspective.

grant someone the right to be heard

Highlights the entitlement to express oneself.

recognize someone's right to speak

Emphasizes acknowledging someone's entitlement to voice their thoughts.

FAQs

How can I encourage everyone to participate and "let someone speak" in a meeting?

To promote inclusivity, try using round-robin speaking turns, where each person has a designated time to share their thoughts without interruption. You can also directly invite quieter individuals to contribute by asking for their specific input. This approach helps to "give someone the floor" and ensures diverse perspectives are heard.

What's a more formal way to say "let someone speak"?

In formal settings, consider using phrases like "allow someone to talk" or "permit someone to express their views". These alternatives maintain a respectful tone while conveying the same meaning.

Is it ever appropriate to not "let someone speak"?

While inclusivity is generally encouraged, there may be situations where limiting someone's speaking time is necessary, such as when discussions become unproductive or when a speaker is being disruptive or disrespectful. In such cases, it's important to address the situation with tact and fairness.

What does it mean to "give someone the floor" instead of "let someone speak"?

"Give someone the floor" is an idiomatic way of saying "let someone speak". It is a common expression, used to indicate granting someone the opportunity to address a group or contribute to a discussion.