please speak to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please speak to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when requesting someone to communicate with another person, typically for information or assistance. Example: "If you have any questions about the project, please speak to Sarah, as she is the project manager."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

"Cardinal, please speak to her".

The New Yorker

Can I please speak to Brad?' ".

The New York Times

I'll just say, "Could I please speak to John?

The New Yorker

Please speak to the victims of this menace.

The Guardian - Opinion

Please speak to the Hebrew language coordinator.

Columbia University

"Please speak to the judge," he says gently.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Dear Louise, Can we please speak, blogger to blogger?

Vice

Please speak up to make it easier for me".

WikiHow

A "Courtesy Matters" campaign in 2008 enlisted the CNBC anchor Maria Bartiromo and the courtly television weatherman Al Roker to remind riders to "please speak softly when using your cellphone" and "allow others to exit the train before you board".

The New York Times

May we please speak with you to discuss this important issue in more detail?

Independent

Again, we invite you to please speak up by posting a response to share your ideas with us and other readers.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When directing someone to a specific contact for a particular issue, use "please speak to" to clearly indicate that a direct conversation is the best course of action.

Common error

While "please speak to" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in written instructions. Consider using more concise alternatives like "contact" or "consult" for a more streamlined message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please speak to" functions as a polite directive, specifically instructing someone to communicate verbally with another individual. This is evident in examples such as "Please speak to your Advisor at your current school", where the phrase prompts a direct conversation for guidance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please speak to" is a grammatically sound phrase used to politely direct someone to communicate with another individual, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in academic and news contexts, indicating a neutral level of formality. When composing your content, remember that while suitable, you should avoid overuse. For more concise alternatives in written form, consider using alternatives, such as "contact", "consult with", or "talk to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talk to

Less formal and implies a general conversation rather than a specific request for assistance.

kindly consult with

More formal and emphasizes seeking advice or guidance.

direct your questions to

Offers a straightforward way to indicate who should be contacted for information.

please address your inquiries to

Very formal, suited for official communication regarding questions or concerns.

consult with

Implies seeking expert advice or guidance on a particular matter.

get in touch with

Less formal and suggests initiating contact for various reasons, not necessarily problem-solving.

reach out to

Informal, similar to "get in touch with", but slightly more proactive.

contact

Short, direct, and generally applicable to any form of communication.

make contact with

Neutral, emphasizes the act of establishing communication.

communicate with

General term for exchanging information; less direct than "please speak to".

FAQs

How can I use "please speak to" in a sentence?

Use "please speak to" to direct someone to the appropriate person for assistance or information. For example, "If you have questions about registration, "please speak to" the registrar."

What are some alternatives to "please speak to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "talk to", "contact", or "consult with".

Is it more formal to say "please speak to" or "talk to"?

"Please speak to" is generally considered more polite and slightly more formal than "talk to", although both are acceptable in many situations.

When should I use "please speak to" instead of "please refer to"?

Use "please speak to" when you want someone to have a direct conversation with another person. Use "please refer to" when you want someone to consult a document or resource for information.