publicly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "publicly speaking" is not correct in standard English; the correct expression is "public speaking." You can use "public speaking" when referring to the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience.
Example: "Public speaking is an essential skill for professionals who want to effectively communicate their ideas."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The next day, Mr. DiNapoli was publicly speaking about plans to start his own local fund-raising committee.

The New York Times

Hearing, on N.P.R., that masked Taliban gunmen gunned  down a 14-year-old girl for publicly speaking out about her desire for an education, had that effect.

The New York Times

According to TMZ, Ciara is also requesting that Future is ordered to delete the relevant tweets and is blocked from publicly speaking on private family matters.

Independent

After the military ousted the militants in 2009, she began publicly speaking out about the need for girls' education, something the Taliban strongly opposes.

Independent

People close to the situation would speak only on condition that they not be identified, saying campaign decorum did not provide for publicly speaking about private contractual negotiations.

The New York Times

"What's the connection between publicly speaking out in support of a female logo on a banknote, Twitter threats of rape and decapitation, and Telemachus's putdown of Penelope?

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

He has not publicly spoken about Mr. Torre since.

The New York Times

Ahead of the 2010 edition, Takashi Okada, then the Japan coach, publicly spoke of a semifinal finish.

The New York Times

The person, lacking authority to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity.

Independent

Ricardo Lagos, the newly elected Chilean president, has publicly spoken in favor of the park.

The New York Times - Travel

Even journalists working on the crimes refuse to publicly speak out for fear of reprisals.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct and widely accepted term "public speaking" when referring to the skill or act of delivering speeches. Although "publicly speaking" appears frequently, it's not considered standard English.

Common error

Don't use "publicly speaking" when you mean "public speaking". The latter is the established term for giving speeches; the former is a less precise, and arguably grammatically dubious, construction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a verbal phrase, often part of a larger clause describing an action or state. Despite its frequent appearance, Ludwig AI points out that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct expression is "public speaking."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "publicly speaking" is frequently encountered, it's important to recognize that it's considered grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted term is "public speaking". Ludwig AI confirms this distinction. Although this phrase appears in various contexts, including news, science, and general-interest publications, adhering to standard English usage dictates opting for "public speaking" or alternatives like "speaking in public" or "addressing an audience". Therefore, while "publicly speaking" may be understood, it's best to use more precise and grammatically sound options to ensure clarity and professionalism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

public speaking

This is the grammatically correct and standard term for addressing an audience.

speaking in public

This alternative is a more descriptive way of phrasing the act of addressing an audience.

addressing an audience

This phrase emphasizes the act of directly communicating to a group.

presenting publicly

Focuses on the act of delivering a presentation to a public audience.

making a public statement

Implies a formal announcement or declaration to the public.

communicating openly

Highlights the transparency and accessibility of the communication.

voicing publicly

Emphasizes the act of expressing opinions or thoughts in a public forum.

declaring publicly

Conveys a sense of formality and assertion in the public announcement.

professing openly

Suggests a candid sharing of one's beliefs or feelings.

articulating publicly

Focuses on expressing something clearly and effectively to an audience

FAQs

Is "publicly speaking" grammatically correct?

No, the grammatically correct term is "public speaking". Although "publicly speaking" is sometimes used, it's not considered standard English.

What does "public speaking" mean?

"Public speaking" refers to the act of delivering a speech or presentation to an audience. It involves communicating information or ideas effectively to a group of people.

Can I use "speaking in public" instead of "public speaking"?

Yes, "speaking in public" is a valid alternative that means the same thing as "public speaking". It's a more descriptive way of phrasing the act of addressing an audience.

What's the difference between "public speaking" and other forms of communication?

"Public speaking" specifically refers to addressing a live audience, whereas other forms of communication, such as writing or one-on-one conversations, involve different mediums and contexts.