naturally speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "naturally speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something in a way that reflects natural or common understanding, often in a conversational context. Example: "Naturally speaking, we all want to be happy and fulfilled in our lives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Geneva and Singapore next week," said Dr. Farrar, in jeans and carrying a red backpack, on a break from a conference where he was — naturally — speaking on the topic.

The New York Times - Health

We live in times where world events can leave us speechless, so naturally, speaking in TV can act as a placeholder until we can figure out what to say.

Vice

Once activated, the app uses Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking to translate the language being spoken into one of 44 languages.

Huffington Post

DRAGON NATURALLY SPEAKING ESSENTIALS -- This latest version of the Dragon Naturally Speaking software from Lernout & Hauspie puts the chat back into chat rooms.

The New York Times - Tech

Another fave is Dragon Naturally Speaking software, a talk-to-text program that allows your writer to speak their first draft.

Huffington Post

Dragon's Naturally Speaking, which debuted in 1997, was the first software with "continuous speech" technology, which lets users dictate text in a normal speaking voice, without pausing between words.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Such knaves have "no quarrel with religion or morals, but know what use to make of both upon occasion… They are sure to preach honesty and go to church… [They] naturally speak the best of human nature that they may the easier abuse it" (C 44).

SEP

But New Yorkers, naturally, spoke quite differently about him.

The New York Times - Arts

"I naturally spoke of my horrible sexual life," he said.

The New York Times

Some models, like the Lexus Entune, respond to a wide variety of naturally spoken commands.

The New York Times

Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) were elicited by semantic anomalies and phrase structure violations in naturally spoken sentences.

Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "naturally speaking" to introduce a perspective that aligns with common sense or general understanding. It's effective for setting the stage before presenting an idea that most people would intuitively agree with.

Common error

Avoid using "naturally speaking" excessively in formal writing or presentations. While acceptable, it can sometimes sound too conversational, undermining the seriousness of your message. Opt for more formal alternatives like "it follows that" or "consequently" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "naturally speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. Ludwig indicates that it is used to introduce a statement or idea that is logical or widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "naturally speaking" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce an idea as a logical or common-sense perspective. While it's more frequent in news, media, and scientific contexts, it may be too informal for highly formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and suggests considering alternatives like "in a natural manner" or "of course" depending on the setting. Be mindful of your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a natural manner

This alternative focuses on the manner in which something is said or done, emphasizing its inherent or effortless quality.

in a spontaneous way

This emphasizes the unprompted and unplanned nature of the speech or action.

without artificiality

This highlights the absence of pretense or affectation in the way something is expressed.

coming from the heart

This suggests sincerity and genuine emotion behind the words or actions.

in an unforced manner

This highlights the ease and lack of strain in the delivery or execution.

as a matter of course

This implies something is happening as expected or is the normal procedure.

as a natural consequence

This suggests something following logically and predictably from what precedes it.

without affectation

This emphasizes the lack of artificial or insincere behavior.

genuinely expressing

This focuses on the authenticity and sincerity of the expression.

in an unaffected way

This highlights the simplicity and lack of pretension in the way something is done or said.

FAQs

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

You can use "naturally speaking" to introduce an idea or statement that is logical or widely accepted. For example, "Naturally speaking, we all want to be happy."

What are some alternatives to "naturally speaking"?

Alternatives include "in a natural manner", "of course", or "obviously", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "naturally speaking"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that something is a logical consequence or a common-sense perspective. It is often used in conversational or informal writing.

Is "naturally speaking" more formal or informal?

"Naturally speaking" tends to be more informal. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "it follows that" or "consequently".