speak at length

USAGE SUMMARY

'speak at length' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about speaking for a long time about a certain subject. Example sentence: She spoke at length about her recent trip to Italy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he does not plan to speak at length.

The New York Times - Sports

Mrs. Payton did not speak at length with Pearlman.

The New York Times

The examiner rated him "Expert": "Able to speak at length with a natural, effortless flow.

The New Yorker

I see the importance of this simple truth whenever I speak at length with a student.

Harvard University

Accreditation reviewers pulled students out of the crowd to speak at length.

The New York Times - Magazine

Like her, he always stopped to speak at length with homeless people.

The New York Times

He explained later, it was not a lecture under his contract and he was unable to speak at length.

The New Yorker

Mr. Hagel did not speak at length about the budget, but the cuts, he said, are coming.

The New York Times

When a person is determined to speak at length but… For China, 2012 was a humbling year.

The New Yorker

Of course, allowing patients to speak at length does not necessarily lead to constructive answers from doctors, nor to a shared understanding of the problems being discussed.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was absolutely honored to have an opportunity to speak at-length with Eric Van Lustbader, who inherited the series from the late great Robert Ludlum.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "speak at length" when you want to emphasize that someone talked for a considerable amount of time and with significant detail about a specific subject. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "speak at length" when the speaker's detailed explanation becomes unfocused or irrelevant. Ensure the detailed discussion remains pertinent and contributes meaningfully to the topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak at length" functions as a verb phrase. It modifies a verb, indicating the manner or extent of the speaking. Examples in Ludwig show it being used to describe the act of discussing a topic in a detailed and prolonged manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "speak at length" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe someone talking in detail and for an extended period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it conveys thoroughness and duration in communication. When using "speak at length", ensure the discussion remains focused and pertinent to avoid rambling. Consider alternatives like "talk at length" or "discuss in detail" to vary your phrasing, always maintaining clarity and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

talk at length

A more direct synonym, simply replacing "speak" with "talk".

discuss in detail

Focuses on the thoroughness of the discussion rather than the duration of speaking.

go into detail

Emphasizes the depth of the explanation.

offer an extensive explanation

Emphasizes the breadth and depth of the provided explanation.

elaborate extensively

Highlights the act of adding details and expanding on a subject.

address thoroughly

Highlights the comprehensiveness of the treatment of a subject.

present a detailed account

Suggests a structured and informative presentation.

expound upon

Implies a more formal and authoritative explanation.

cover comprehensively

Focuses on the completeness of the coverage of a topic.

dwell on

Suggests lingering or focusing intently on a particular aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "speak at length" in a sentence?

You can use "speak at length" to describe someone who talks extensively about a subject. For example, "The professor spoke at length about the history of quantum physics".

What are some alternatives to "speak at length"?

Alternatives include "talk at length", "discuss in detail", or "elaborate extensively", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "spoken at length" instead of "speak at length"?

"Spoken at length" refers to something that has already been discussed extensively, while "speak at length" refers to the act of doing so. They are used in different contexts.

What's the difference between "speak at length" and "address thoroughly"?

"Speak at length" emphasizes the duration of the speech, while "address thoroughly" emphasizes the comprehensiveness of the treatment of the subject.