linguistically speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "linguistically speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing language, grammar, or communication from a linguistic perspective. Example: "Linguistically speaking, the use of slang can vary significantly between different regions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Linguistically speaking you become your idiot brother.

The Guardian - Opinion

Linguistically speaking, what I had done was a bit like asking an Italian for directions in Latin.

The New York Times - Books

But, linguistically speaking, sounding gay is really no different from sounding street, sounding posh or sounding like a bro.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or say "LOL" through your arse, I suppose, which makes a sort of pun because, linguistically speaking, LOL is now a form of phatic communication.

The Guardian - Books

"Hard Knocks," which runs through Sept. 8, is tracking the New York Jets this year, and last week, in the season premiere, Mr. Ryan, the Jets' charismatic head coach, kept throwing the long bomb, linguistically speaking.

The New York Times - Arts

Linguistically speaking, the designation Kalmyk refers to the Cyrillic written language of the European Mongols and their spoken dialects, while the designation Oirat refers to the vertical script language and its associated dialects in Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

To each breast cancer case, we also assigned a neighborhood Hispanic enclave index that was derived, using PCA [ 29], from the following Census 1990 or 2000 block group variables: % linguistically isolated, % linguistically isolated who speak Spanish, % speaking limited English, % Spanish speaking who spoke limited English, % of recent immigrants, % Hispanic, and % foreign-born.

BMC Cancer

Manchester Royal Exchange's Sarah Frankcom is directing The Skriker, a play certainly red in tooth and claw; Peake plays the title character, a shapeshifting spirit speaking in linguistically cartwheeling rhymes, who lures two teen mothers into a macabre, musical underworld.

Independent

At that point, the linguistically talented Scott speaks to the officers in Hungarian.

The New York Times

(1) Some researchers (de Ruiter, 2000; Kita & Özyürek, 2003; McNeill, 2000) have suggested that gesture arises pre-linguistically during conceptual preparations for speaking but is influenced by language parameters (such as clause structure and lexical semantics) via feedback from linguistic processing.

Clinical Linguistics and Phonetics

Professor Paul Kerswill, who specialises in language and linguistic science, says that when people settle in certain areas they have to "sort it out linguistically" and acquire a way of speaking that they understand.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "linguistically speaking" to introduce an observation or analysis specifically related to language, grammar, or word choice. It signals that your statement is based on linguistic principles.

Common error

Avoid using "linguistically speaking" when your statement isn't directly related to language. For example, don't say "Linguistically speaking, that's a good idea" if you mean 'In my opinion, that's a good idea'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "linguistically speaking" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a clause by specifying the perspective from which the statement is being made, focusing on linguistic aspects. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "linguistically speaking" serves as an effective way to introduce a language-focused perspective into a discussion. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriate usage across diverse contexts like news, science, and encyclopedias. While frequently employed, ensure its application is pertinent to linguistic matters to avoid misuse. Consider alternatives like "from a linguistic perspective" or "in linguistic terms" for similar effect. As a best practice, remember that this phrase is best suited for introducing an analysis centered on language, grammar, or word choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

from a linguistic perspective

Replaces the adverb with a prepositional phrase indicating viewpoint.

in linguistic terms

Uses a prepositional phrase emphasizing the terminology used in linguistics.

linguistically

Shortens the phrase to a single adverb, losing some of the introductory emphasis.

regarding language

Shifts the focus to the topic of language more directly.

in terms of language

Emphasizes language as the framework for analysis.

from a language standpoint

Similar to 'perspective', highlighting language as the point of view.

with respect to language

More formal, indicating a specific focus on language.

concerning language

A more general way to introduce a statement about language.

in the context of language

Highlights the importance of the linguistic environment.

from a grammatical viewpoint

Specifically focuses on grammatical aspects of language.

FAQs

How can I use "linguistically speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "linguistically speaking" to introduce a statement or observation about language, such as, "Linguistically speaking, the word 'literally' is often used figuratively."

What does "linguistically speaking" mean?

"Linguistically speaking" means from the perspective of language or in terms of language analysis. It indicates that the following statement is related to language structure, usage, or characteristics.

What are some alternatives to "linguistically speaking"?

Some alternatives include "from a linguistic perspective", "in linguistic terms", or simply "linguistically".

Is it correct to say "linguistically speaking" in formal writing?

Yes, "linguistically speaking" is appropriate for formal writing when used to introduce a point related to language. However, ensure the context aligns with linguistic analysis or observation.