speak text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "speak text" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to the act of verbalizing written text, but it lacks clarity and is not commonly used. Example: "I need you to speak the text aloud so everyone can hear it clearly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yes, gadgets that speak text out loud are bursting onto the scene like monks just released from a decade-long vow of silence.

The New York Times - Tech

The system is designed to both recognize and speak "text in the wild," a term used to describe newspaper articles as well as bus numbers, and objects as diverse as landmarks, traffic lights and the faces of friends.

The New York Times - Science

Very few speak "text talk".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There was no significant interaction between spoken text quality and pacing.

Computers in Human Behavior

Not that spoken text doesn't interest Macmillan any more.

The Guardian

It is very hard to dance to a spoken text.

The New York Times - Arts

On some later occasions, it had a spoken text.

The New Yorker

The main complaint was the excessive amount of spoken text.

The Guardian - Music

Spoken text in dance is sometimes difficult to follow.

The New York Times

Apple also offers Voice Over, which speaks text aloud when the phone's screen is touched.

The New York Times

Chairs are involved, and nudity, as well as spoken text about the brain.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the act of converting written text to speech, use more common and grammatically correct phrases like "read aloud" or "verbalize text".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "speak text" in formal writing. Instead, opt for alternatives such as "read the text" or "verbalize the text" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "speak text" functions as a verb followed by a noun, but it is not a standard or grammatically sound construction in English. According to Ludwig, this phrase is not correct and lacks clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Wiki

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "speak text" is grammatically questionable and rarely used. Ludwig identifies it as not correct, suggesting that it lacks clarity. It attempts to describe the action of verbalizing written content but is better expressed using alternatives like "read aloud" or "verbalize text". While examples can be found across various source types, its incorrect grammar limits its applicability in professional or academic writing. Thus, it's advisable to use more established and clearer phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

read aloud

This alternative focuses on the act of verbally expressing written content.

verbalize text

Using a more formal term, this option highlights the conversion of written text into spoken words.

recite text

This suggests a more deliberate and possibly performed reading of the text.

utter the text

This emphasizes the act of producing the words, often with a specific intention or emphasis.

voice the text

This highlights the act of giving a voice to written material.

articulate the text

This emphasizes clarity and precision in the delivery of the text.

narrate the text

This suggests the act of telling a story or presenting information from the text.

deliver the text orally

This is a formal way to state the delivery of the text through speech.

express the text verbally

This highlights the expression of the text using spoken language.

orally present the text

This emphasizes a formal presentation of the text through speech.

FAQs

What is a better way to say "speak text"?

Instead of "speak text", you can use phrases like "read aloud", "verbalize text", or "recite text" to more accurately describe the action of saying the words in a text.

Is the phrase "speak text" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "speak text" is not grammatically correct. It's better to use phrases like "read the text aloud" or "verbalize the text".

How can I use "read aloud" in a sentence?

You can use "read aloud" in a sentence like this: "The teacher asked the student to read aloud the first paragraph of the story."

What does it mean to "verbalize text"?

To "verbalize text" means to express written text in spoken words. It involves reading or converting written content into speech.